While pondering the passing of 2009 and the new year quickly approaching I had decided to try something different.    Rather than give up something for a resolution I would add something.    My buzz word for 2010 is going to be focus.    Focus on the things that surround me and keep my eyes open for new areas of focus.    I have broken down my goals and picked a few daily tasks that I will try to accomplish each day.    At the end of the day I will review my list and see how it goes.    This is not like a chore list since it is things that I want to do.    Too much time is spent on what I ought to do.   So in 2010 I want to allow myself some time to take in new things, expand my creative side, and enjoy the journey along the way!

Today a friend posted a message about observing.  The words rang so true for me:  ”take it in, notice, think about it, question it, learn from it”.   

 It reminded me of my Observation Jar.    A few years ago I was in charge of the discovery area for Vacation Church School.    Each day I had something new to discuss with the kids.    It was fun to put the jar together and as the week went on the kids were talking about it so much that all the adults came over to observe as well.

I asked the kids “what do you see in the jar?”   They all agreed that it was birdseed.   We talked about the difference between the words ‘see’ and ‘observe’.   To observe is to watch attentively or take notice.   To see is to perceive with the eyes or to understand.     You might see a picture hanging in your house but one day you  discover something in the picture you hadn’t noticed before.   

The wow moment finally arrived as I told them to put the Observation Jar on its side.  

Inside the jar were 27 items.   The older kids made a list to see if they could find them all.     It did appear that the jar was just full of birdseed but upon further oberservation it really was much more than that.

 We are still growing as the caretakes of all that God created.  This lesson was to remind us to love God, love others, and love the earth that God made!   I think we all learned alot by the lesson taught by the Observation Jar.

So in my focus plan for 2010 I want to observe something new each day, look beyond the mere appearance and take the time to notice.   

Wishing you all the best in the new year….

11/4/09 – Excited and a little nervous I went to the presentation for the Mill Race Village merchants group.   It was great that Abbie came along to help set up the display and answer some of the questions.   The little New Jersey chocolates were very popular!

11/5/09 - Got approval to have Jersey Made included in the merchants group

11/6/09 – I gave notice at my job where I had for 4 years.   I started working there 1 day a week and was up to 3 days a week doing such a variety of tasks.

11/12/09 – I signed the lease and paid the 1st month’s rent.

11/13/09 – I was fired from my job.   This solidified that I was on the right path in pursuing Jersey Made.   I am very thankful that my other 2 bosses have been incredibly supportive.   Jeff gave me a microwave and some small furniture to use.  He has been quite encouraging.  Anthony has been great.   Always asking how things are going and once again has allowed me to adjust my schedule.   

11/14/09 – Work began to create a store at 33-35 White Street, Mt. Holly, NJ.   Gathering of NJ maps went into full force.   All my friends and family no longer have maps in their cars.   I even convinced my boss, Anthony, to go out and get his map out of the truck.   It was a messy map but definitely one of my favorites.   I started to bring over any items that would fit into my car each time I went to Jersey Made.

11/25/09 – Many friends with large vehicles arrived at my house.   Kelly & Dave arrived 1st and furniture started heading out to their van.   Just when the van was getting full Hope arrived and we started to fill her van up.   Just when we needed help with the big table Abbie & Sean arrived.   My car was filled last.   All 4 vehicles and friends traveled to Jersey Made with a stop at Wawa on the way first – now a tradition LOL!

At 1PM that day the inspector was coming for the Certificate of Occupancy.   I asked Sean and Dave to check the exit signs cause one didn’t look right but they couldn’t fix it.    I called and an MRV guy came over immediately, discovered what was wrong, went and got the part and fixed it.   Just in time for the inspector.   It passed! 

11/27/09 – Black Friday for some but for me it was all green.   Actually it was “Almost Aloe” as I spent the day painting walls at Jersey Made.   Say bye bye to more of the wallpaper!    My sis, brother-in-law and nephew came over to help out.   So much got done that day with their help!   Heidi just kept asking “ok what next?” until we had gotten it all done.  

11/28/09 – Jersey Made was sort of open to support the Creativity for a Cause event in the Mill Race Village.   Thought it was for breast cancer but that was the last cause.   So the chocolate ribbon lollipops didn’t go over as great as was hoped.   The cause was the South Jersey Food Bank this time.    It seemed like no one knew the store was open.    Steve and Tanya brought over an old sandwich board that was covered in mud and leaves.   It was a real mess.   By the end of the day Tanya had transformed this old sign with some paint and it is almost ready to be moved to the sidewalk each day. 

11/29/09 – Mom came to spend the afternoon with me at Jersey Made.   She really liked it and even took a walk over to the Bookery and Spirit of Christmas coming back with a bagful of goodies she had purchased.   That was a big giant walk for her.   I was glad to have her share in my new adventure.

12/2/09 – Official opening day.   I put green Christmas lights around the front of the store so that visitors to the village would know that something was going on at this location. 

So now here we are at 12/5/09 – exactly one month since being approved by the Mill Race Village merchants group.   I think that is a pretty awesome timeline of events.    The store is not 100% ready.  There are more artists to bring in their items, classes to be scheduled, and much more but I think Jersey Made is off to a great start!

Here are just a few cool statistics about Jersey Made….

1.   No furniture or fixtures were purchased in the setup of the store.   All items came from my home, donated by friends, and the counter came with the store. 

2.   All items in Jersey Made will be 100% created by New Jersey artists.

3.  Several classes have already been scheduled.   Jersey Made welcomes Kelly Donovan who will be teaching the Artist Trading Card Club that will meet monthly.  She is super talented and has lots of great ideas.   Wait until you see what she has planned for January Club (3rd Wednesday) just in time for Valentine’s Day.    Look out in 2010 cause Jersey Made will be the place to take some great artistic classes!

4.  The “Cupboard Under the Stairs” is quickly gaining notarity and fame.   Today it got nicknamed the Harry Potty room  LOL!!!   I am still laughing at that one…..

5.  There are already 6 artists on display at Jersey Made.   By the end of this week that will jump to 10.

6.  Already a customer has left the store and found something at home that she thought we could use and came back 2 days later to drop it off.    I had never met the woman before but thought it was so special that she did that.    The large shadow box will be used in the classroom to show off samples of art created at Jersey Made.

7.   Jersey Made is 100% green.   We recycle everything!  

Thanks for reading – hope you liked the timeline!   I thought it was pretty cool!!!

Jersey Made – ATC Club/Swap

33-35 White St.

Mill Race Village

 Mt. Holly NJ 08060

Wednesday, December 16, 2009  7-9 PM

Kelly Donovan will be bringing her expertise in making ATC cards to Jersey Made.

The ATC Club at Jersey Made will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

Cost is $15 plus a $5 supply fee and this includes everything you need to make 3 ATC’s featuring a Snowman theme.   You can swap them or take them home!!!  

Isn’t he just the cutest!!!!   Great to collect, swap or share. 

ATC’s make great Christmas gifts or package tags!

Have you ever had a dream?  

Something you reserached, planned, and envisioned?

Something that just seemed so perfect it could only feel like a dream?

Something that has been in your thoughts and prayers for several decades?

Well perhaps that is why today was such a really big day for me.  

There WAS a store in the Mill Race Village of Mount Holly that was available for rent.   But it’s not anymore because the lease got signed today.  That store will now become the home of Jersey Made.    A combination of artistic handmade items made by local New Jersey artists and a wide range of classes.  

Located 33-35 White Street, Mt Holly NJ 08060  (it’s not too soon to program your GPS or nubie or whatever those gizmos are called  – hehehe)

The entrance to Jersey Made…..

The front porch – oh my!   I have some awesome lawn furniture that a friend passed along to me.  Instead of being under plastic covers under my carport they get their own porch area!!!

Another door on the opposite side of the store.   This will come in handy when Mill Race Village has big events or whenever we need extra flow through the store!

Please notice the holly bushes out front – perfect!!

I was so excited to have the keys that all activity stopped until I could get a picture!!!  This is gonna be so great….    It is hoped to have Jersey Made all set up within the next few weeks.   Mill Race Village is hosting “Creativity for a Cause” on Saturday, November 28th so it would be great if the doors could be open so we can participate – at least a little bit!!!

And it came with a skeleton key for the bathroom door.  LOL!   Why that is needed I do not know but skeleton keys are high on my list of favorite antique things.

So this is where I will be from Wednesday to Sunday each week.   It will be so inspiring for me to be in a creative environment, planning classes, making samples and meeting people!   I’m so happy that Abbie will be participating too – she brings a wealth of talent to Jersey Made.   The logo that she designed is so perfect!!!  

Can’t wait to see this hanging at 33-35!!!!  

The tale of the fluted dish started many years ago in the suburbs of Pennsauken.   There were many serving platters and dishes in the house but none so precious as the fluted dish.   Made of some kind of ceramic that could withstand high temperatures.  The edges looked like the fancy fluting on the apple pie crust.  You know the kind -   created by pinching 2 fingers on either side of the dough.   At Thanksgiving it held a place of honor at the table holding the candied sweet potatoes.   Mom loved that fluted dish and used it constantly.

One day the fluted dish disappeared.   Everyone was interrogated by Mom.   My sisters and I were sure we did not have the fluted dish but years had passed and we were no longer sure exactly what the fluted dish looked like anymore.   Mom came to each of our homes and looked in our cabinets.  We were asked repeatedly on any and every occasion if we had located it.  Then she began asking neighbors, friends, and everyone who ever went to a covered dish meal at church.  It was getting completely out of control.   We started to avoid any mention of semi-related stories that would bring up the missing family heirloom.  Oh yes, it had gotten bumped up a few pegs on the priceless, irreplaceable treasures list.

Years went by and no family heirloom appeared.  It seemed to be lost forever.  One by one my sisters and I would buy something we thought might be the perfect substitute.  Each one was rejected by Mom cause it just wasn’t the fluted dish…..

Then one day Mom announced causally that the fluted dish had been found.   The reaction was NOT so casual.   WHAT?????    WHERE WAS IT?????   We were all screaming at once.    Seems Mom had given a plate of her famous chocolate chip cookies to her friend Bonnie and after years she returned it.   The story just kept getting funnier and funnier.  I still cannot say “fluted dish” without smirking as I recall all the fun we have had with this silly piece of ceramic.

It came time for Mom to move from the suburbs of Pennsauken and downsizing started.   At the huge flea market we had at her house there on the table sat the fluted dish.   Since it was hard to get my Mom to agree to minimize anything we were surprised that this dish that had been so precious was now on sale for 50 cents.   Yes, there were scratches from the years of use.  Yes, there was a chip in the side.  But this was THE fluted dish.   Quickly my sister grabbed it and set it aside.    Amy thinks it is funny to get Heidi yard sale gifts for major holidays.   So Heidi thought it would be fun to present this treasure to Amy for Christmas.   Hahaha – the joke just kept on going.   As I was unwrapping my birthday presents there was a beautifully wrapped decorator bag for me.   Inside was the ________.  

Come on, guess……  

Yup, the fluted dish!!!  

So now Mom’s birthday is being celebrated tomorrow with a dinner at Heidi’s.   I have the fluted dish.   Hmmmm – the wheels of creativity started spinning because really I don’t want the fluted dish or need it. 

So…..

I made it into a clock!!!   This way it can now be hung on the wall and won’t get lost.  With all the right tools it wasn’t too difficult.   Plus I read the directions – an oddity in itself!!

For the past few years the Medford Historical Society has participated in Taste of Medford. Usually we have coloring pages of Kirby’s Mill or the Cross Keys School House and a pile of crayons for the kids to color. We hand out membership and event info to the adults and have fun with the kids.

This year things turned out quite differently.

Janet had mentioned that Taste of Medford 2009 would have a ‘harvest’ theme. She wanted me to do a project with the kids involving pumpkins. It seemed kind of early for pumpkins so I offered to do carrots. As the event got closer I looked at the 3 bags of carrots and wondered what was I thinking in offering to do such a project. Friday night came and I still was not prepared. I gathered a package of brown paper lunch bags, Stampin’ Up!’s kid friendly markers, a cutting board, my crinkle cutter, knife and some leave stencils. Of course this involved some Stampin’ Up! classic ink pads in Garden Green, Tangerine Tango, and Riding Hood Red. My plan had been to do some test runs on Saturday morning before the event. However, this plan changed when I was needed to set up tents at 9AM. At least I had what I thought I would need along with the Medford Historical Society brochures, name tags and the MHS wooden sign to hang from the tent.   Old blueprints were turned over so the table would be protected from whatever happened.

I had one volunteer who offered to come help me. Lark arrived at 11:30. I had tried to get things set up as best I could but after setting up tents and moving tables for 2 1/2 hours I was a little spent. It was just gonna have to be how it ended up. I explained to Lark the brief sketch in my mind of making the shape of a carrot by stamping with the carrots. She gave me that “you must be out of your mind” look but quickly jumped into the project and offered to take over the knife duty. Whewww – that was a good thing. So I would suggest a shape and Lark would cut it. We ended up with leaves, pawprints, smiley face, carrot tops, and all sorts of circles.

Then Nicky showed up in the midst of this excitement. I had coerced her to participate with the promise of free food and a few laughs.  She had her own pocket knife and proceeded to start cutting carrots too. She made an “X” and that spurred the idea for tic-tac-toe. So we ended up with “X” and “O” and a long bar to use to set up the game. It started getting really hysterical about this point. So far an hour had passed and no children had come over to play with us.  Usually the first hour of the event everyone is off tasting food and the activites came later.

As people started coming by we had accumulated various decorated bags which we hung on the front of the table to give people an idea of what we were doing. Then we started to ask people “Hey – you wanna play tic-tac-toe with carrots?” We got some amazing looks – shock, disbelief, confusion, and interest. Had a few adults come over and they seemed to get a kick out of it. Bill & Winnie, members of the Medford Historical Society were glad to try it out for us. Hehehe – they played a few games while chatting with us.

Well then we got bored again so more designs came out. Nicky and I started making pirate maps, palm trees, and treasure chests. Lark’s cutting got even fancier.  We had a blast!

Ironically, no one knew that the Taste of Medford had a “harvest” theme.   it was not printed on any of the signs, banners, advertising or the programs handed out.   Apparently we were the only theme in the bunch.   I was asking the other businesses around me and they seemed confused by my questions.  Bill, who was helping to run the event, didn’t know why I kept talking about carrots.  But he is used to my crazy crafting ideas so he must have figured I was just off on a carrot project.   I asked Janet and she told me that the farming outfit that had signed up to come had cancelled on Thursday.   No wonder we laughed so much that day.

I even dressed for the occasion.   Here I am in my overalls and carrot color shirt showing off my “I heart carrots” motif.   You just gotta laugh cause sometimes real life is so funny!!!

As an added bonus we cut off the inked ends of the carrots.   The remainder was fed to the ponies that were tired and hungry from giving the children rides all day long.  

They were totally into the harvest themed carrots!!!

Our tent was next to Little Kicks Soccer.   The founder, Steve, was quite fun and had the kids kicked a soccer ball all day long.   He enjoyed our carrot stories and was laughing along with us throughout the day.   I stole their soccer ball and was kicking it around in our tent while having a smoke break.   He warned me I would never be the poster child that way.  Anyway it sure seemed like a cool idea to help the kids to learn through soccer.    At the end of the event Steve awarded me with the “Attitude and Good Sportmanship” iron on smiley-face patch!!   Check out their website – it is kicking cool!   www.littlekickssoccer.net

So enjoy some carrots this harvest season!  

Eat them, stamp with them or feed them to ponies!!!

Thanks for reading on….

I am really excited about this year’s Art Show & Sale at Kirby’s Mill.  Last year artist, Tom Kimball, created this watercolor and has allowed us to use it as our logo for the event. 

Isn’t this awesome?  It reflects what happens during this event on the grounds surrounding the old rustic mill. 

Art Show & Sale at Kirby’s Mill

Sunday, August 2, 2009   11AM to 4PM

Location: 275 Church Road, Medford, NJ 08055 (at the intersection of Fostertown Road)

Click here to visit the Kirby Art group in Facebook

The Art Show & Sale at Kirby’s Mill has been growing each year. This year we will again have the melodic music of Jennifer Mylod and the Boys of County O’cean. Also we will have book readings for the children. Great art, refreshment and festivities.
Sponsored by the Medford Historical Society
Please mark your calendars and join us….

So while I was the Kibry’s Mill last week, on the day that I fell down at work and hurt my knee, I was busy getting the Museum Shop ready for the upcoming quilt show.  In the course of this I needed some help.  So after a quick glance around the 1st floor of the Mill for something that would assist me in my task.   Here it is….

This cast iron fork-like thing on a stick was what I found.   Can you guess how I might have used this tool?   I don’t really know what it actually is … so I printed a copy of this photograph to I can interrogate the curator next time I see him – hehehe – he will just love me pestering him with more questions!   Plus I have a few more tasks in mind for using this antique unknown gadget on a stick!

Meanwhile I am busy getting things ready for the quilt show.  The Museum Shop will have a feed sack theme.  www.OriginalAbbie.com has designed a logo for our sack-like items and I can’t wait to see them.   Stop by to see – I will blog about them soon but you’ll want to see them in person.  Thanks Abbie!

I have signed up for a few shows starting with the Art, Wine & Music Festival in Medford Village on the 1st Sunday in June – see my events calendar for particulars.  So I have been getting prepared.  Last evening I set up my tent in the back yard to make sure it was in great shape and today I purchased some new lightweight and sturdy tables.  It seemed like a good idea to revamp my whole display and go with the rustic recycled flair that is the new direction I have chosen to be my focus.  I have alot of items all ready but of course there are a few more that I hope to get finished as well.  Finish – oh that is a big word in my world….  Today I am making graduation cards – this is a new project since I have an order for 10 plus a special order for 1 more.  Graduation time is just around the corner so I think they will be a big seller.  Tonight the finishing touches will go on and I promise to blog about them by the end of this weekend.   These will also be available in my Etsy store.

Did I mention that I am the proud new member of the Etsy NJ team?  It is great to be able to meet other artists from New Jersey and hear what is going on with them.  We meet at shows but that isn’t always the best forum for a conversation.   There is a wealth of information there and it has been encouraging me to continue pursuing making my creations and getting the word out about what I am creating.  I haven’t linked my Etsy shop to my website yet – more for me to learn in that area but I will get there eventually….  www.creatinginslippers.etsy.com

Thanks for reading my tale – Happy Memorial Day - make and keep memories every day…..

Stop and see me – it’s easy to find me – see my events calendar.   As usual, mention my website and you get a free gift – FREE GIFT – hehehe.  I am still losing the battle of ‘real’ comments vs spam.  Why do they think I want to buy that much amoxycillian?   I can only spell that word cause I see it so often.   It is all worth it when a real comment comes in between.  So take a moment and comment – bring a smile to the bloggers of the world who really do appreciate it!  

It was a beautiful and sunny day last Saturday, April 25th when we were scheduled to do a program at the Waretown Branch of the Ocean County Library.  The program was called “Creative Recycling” and was an event for Etsy NJ.  Although I haven’t been active with Etsy NJ for too long, Abbie invited me to come along and help out.  I sure do love to creatively recycle so it seemed like a great idea to me.

So off we went with Abbie’s vehicle filled with all kinds of stuff for us to display.  Some was borrowed from other Etsy NJ members but most of it was what each of us had created, including my new window display.  There was an awesome poster in the door of the library and they let us in before the library was actually open so we could get set up.

Hehe – Abbie’s photos had the high view – mine had the low – wonder why!!!  Here is my “Button My Jeans” quilt made from old denim.  It looked great against the brown tablecloth and got quite a few comments after the program.

We even had our own podium – very exciting!

My window display in on the right with one of my corkboards and a few other decorations as well.  It was fun to hang things on it for the first time.   In the center is the wine box that I am turning into a display for my other cork creations.  That is a work-in-progress but looks great already.

 This was a really clever idea - a package wrapped in an old blueprint.  The ribbon is made from VHS tape – it was shiney and made a great accent to the package.  Can’t wait to try this trick on some upcoming birthday packages….

These were clever.  Bracelets made out of can tabs made by Sue Bee. 

and the other landmark event of the day – SONIC!!!  This was my first time eating at a Sonice – no wonder not many were at our presentation – they were all at the the drive-in!   Can’t wait for one to open in our area.  It was all yummy.  We had really worked up an appetite. 

Check out Abbie’s website for more pictures:  http://abbieroadart.blogspot.com/2009/04/creative-recycling.html

I just got back from a great weekend at Appel Farm in Elmer, NJ.  “Sewing At The Farm” is an annual event and the sew-ers and quilters came from all over the east coast to be there.  We set up our sewing machines and brought piles of stuff with us and enjoyed a whole weekend of creativity, friendship, yummy food, and free gifts.  I made a lot of new friends and caught up with some I haven’t seen for awhile. 

Prior to the event we received the instructions for a mystery quilt.  I had 6 months to do it but life got in the way.  So I arrived with pieces of the mystery quilt – I was at stage 1 3/4 months – LOL – and I misunderstood the directions.  Another opportunity for creative re-direction and I ended up with this mysterious un-named quilt block….

The borders not sewn on but are in place as I tried to figure out what to do next.  On our side trip on Saturday to the Mullica Hill Quilt Shop (highly recommend this quaint little shop jammed with beautiful fabrics)  I picked up some beautiful fabrics to add to the quilt.  What would have been a wall hanging is going to eventually be a full size quilt for me – yup for me!!  How odd that is – something for me to keep…

At each meal and whenever Jean felt like it we had “event” time.  This meant gifts.  Oh my!  I got sooooo spoiled having a gifts on my sewing machine each morning and after each meal and many other times throughout the 3 days.  This was a super cute idea made by Heather for our dessert after dinner so we “could have our cake and eat it too”.  She made us all cupcake pin cushions and home made cupcakes – it was fun to pick them to match.  The real cupcake is gone but I will treasure my chocolate pin cushion for a long time!

My tablemate, Susann shared her pattern and we made these cute bags.  She was the queen of the pins and I could not stop laughing when she showed me her bag and how I supposed to pin it.  I assured Susann that I didn’t even bring that many pins with me and my bottom was already in place.  Wow! Mine would never be perfect if I had to use so many pins – but in the end hers did look awesome and mine look ok too.  We had alot of fun making them together.  Susann and Patsy spent most of their weekend making “Cool Ties” that they are sending overseas to our military at the rate of 200 every 3 weeks.  Quite an undertaking and a neat idea to help keep them cool in the dessert temperatures.  Ironically all the “Cool Ties” that Susann made I never saw her use a pin once.  We laughed again about that one.

A personal excitement for me was the logo.  At dinner on Thursday Dutch announced that we would have “Sewing At The Farm” again in 2010 and a logo was needed.  She asked if any of us had ideas to let her know.  Well after a night of sewing I sat at the picnic table near our cabin and sketched a little design in my journal.  I showed it to Dutch the next day and the conversation went like this “lose this, like that, move this, this is great, adjust that…”  to which I answered OK a bunch of times.  Friday night I sat at the picnic table again, this time with a watercolor sketch pad and started again making note of all the changes and adding a few of my own ideas that I had pondered throughout the day while sewing.  Saturday I presented it to Dutch at breakfast – it seemed that she and Jean would enjoy a gift with their meal as well.  She thought it was great and suggested a few more changes.  I did those and then worked on inking the design.  So here it is, the beginnings of the logo for the event designed by me, Holly Doyle.  It was a real encouragement to me and something that I was really inspired to draw.  I know it will be well used.  The final draft will be altered slightly to make the digitizaiton process smoother cause is will be embroidered onto something.  My artwork will be in stitches – how cool that is for me!

The Appel Farm is an art and music center.  During the summer they do camps for kids and it is a conference and retreat center the rest of the year.  In the center behind the farmhouse is a concrete pool filled with these painted finger-like cement structures.  At night they are lit and it is quite a conversation piece.

I had never been to a retreat like this before.  It was fun to spend time sewing and quilting and for me it was a long weekend mini-vacation.  Did I mention that it rained off and on for the whole 3 days?  Well it wasn’t really an issue and we still enjoyed being around the farm and doing what we love.

Sure am looking forward to “Sewing At The Farm 2010″…