
Great American Scrapbook Convention, Chantilly, VA

Three dimensional art... with heart
Tonight I went to the mall with Mary because she wanted to get some sneakers. I needed to price a new washer. So we separated and agreed to meet at the shoe store. After hanging out out the shoe store for a while, I remembered she said she was going to Dick’s first. So I wandered down to see if I could find her there. As I was going down the escalator, I saw her on the other side. For some reason, I turned around and attempted to run up three (moving) escalator steps in my flip-flops. Something went terribly wrong and I found myself with a cut toe, bruised other foot and a hole in my favorite black capris sitting on a step going down. Oh and also, I was humiliated. I had dropped my bag and an off duty Dick’s employee who was 5 steps behind me handed it to me in disbelief. I wanted to say, “What? You have never done something totally ridiculous and idiotic in your life? Just wait honey…”
To give Maryanne credit, she did acknowledge me (OK, she was laughing her head off) and we sailed out of Dick’s. By then I was laughing too. The blood coming out of my toe and all over my flip-flops was another matter. So we stopped in a Bath & Body Works where she suggested I buy some hand sanitizer and wipe off the cut. That’s when I saw these adorable little bottles. I’m going to a lunch tomorrow with some friends and thought, “Everyone should have one of these with them at all times just in case…” and purchased one for each friend (and myself!).
As we all know, presentation is everything! So I took some scrap matboard, a couple of stamps and ink, ribbon and plastic rubber bands and fashioned some tiny gift boxes for them. I measured the bottle and calculated how big I wanted the box. Then I stamped the matboard, scored the sides, and trimmed off the edges. I punched holes on both sides of the box and threaded ribbon through and knotted it inside for the handle. And that’s it! I didn’t even glue these as I usually would (it’s now 3:30 AM for heaven’s sake!) but instead used the plastic bands to hold all the sides together.
Now I need a trip to the mall for black capris…
The lesson is…everything takes longer than you think it will… so don’t wait till the last minute! I am saying this for myself mainly. And any of my children who happen to see this. π And for those who do things ahead of time (and you know who you are) I hate you. I mean, congrats on planning ahead…. but I’m sure my life is much more exciting than yours.
Still have orders and a major project due tomorrow night but I must sleep! The storms were crazy last night plus too much diet Coke π Still haven’t finished the matted project I did with Pam- have to do the paying jobs first!
In other news, I have 3 projects appearing in the August issue of Crafts ‘n Things! So that was pretty exciting to see. Now I am finishing off orders for the Coast Guard Academy Parents’ Club and the Army Officer’s Wives’ Club of the Greater Washington Area, assorted matted graduation announcements and wedding presents.
Pam came over yesterday and we did a project together- it came out really cute and she was so excited about giving this to her friend. Will post tomorrow.
I have been adding some features and fiddling around with this blog but it’s slow going. Had some excellent suggestions from my friend Patty’s daughter Caitlin who married an English guy and lives and works in England. She writes such a fun blog- check it out. Thanks Cait! You are so kind…
So, at night, after I kiss her angelic little cheek, I come down here to my really messy, fun studio and see what trouble I can get into. I had sent proposals for what I KNOW is a really cool idea for a book in to two different publishers and was rejected by both (nicely, but still…). I’m not giving up yet… Also put myself out there with an idea for a regular feature in a craft magazine, so who knows… All they can say is no π The good news is the new product is coming along beautifully and can’t wait to be able to tell you all about it!
Today I planted. $168 worth of flowers from Lowes have been sitting in the back yard for a week and a half but it has been either raining or buggy or humid. Today was cloudy, about 74 and perfect. Trinity and I suited up- on went the gloves, bug stuff, comfy clothes and ponytails- and went out for a few hours to put them in. And now I think why did I wait. It was really fun. Of course I need a lot more…
In front of Giant every year, there’s a lady who sets up a flower stand and I usually visit her a couple of times. Now I have waited so long it’s buy one, get one free! So tomorrow Trinity and I will hit her stand and see what’s left. I think my favorite flower is the tuberous begonia- they flower continually and require minimal maintenance- what’s not to love? The photo above is something I saw on the way down the driveway to get the mail- have no idea what it is but love all the wacky strands popping out everywhere…