Maize's Diary

It's my party!

2008-05-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

Today I'm 47.

I have no wisdom to impart other than wash your face every night, use moisturizer and pluck, don't shave your nipple hair!

I can't believe she just said that!

Last in a series

2008-05-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

These are the last in the series of No Knot Embroidery that I've been stitching for the past couple of weeks. I won't bore you any longer with them! :-)

More no knot...

2008-05-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking of framing all of these little stitched works of art. For some reason, stitching gives me peace of mind and I take comfort in it.

Buck and I are heading out of here on a road trip to Montana for a few days. We've picked out some properties to look at and are hoping to get a better idea of where we'll be living. I think we've narrowed it down quite a bit.

I've spent the last few days saying goodbye to our home and our beautiful piece of property. It's heart wrenching but I understand that I have a new purpose in my life. The older you get, the harder it is to commit to change. I can empathize with the victims of Hurricane Katrina and how they felt when they returned home and found nothing left. That's how I've started to think of it. It's like the hurricane next door destroyed everything we wanted for ourselves here. It's a very empty feeling.

Since I'm sliding into fifty I need to shake things up a bit. We won't have any kids at home in a few more weeks and things will be pretty quiet around here. We're moving into a new phase in our lives and are trying to look at this as an adventure. It's actually exciting!

Can't y'all see Maize in Montana? I'll be in my cowboy boots and straw hat, planting flowers in my garden at my mountain retreat. My blog will probably change and morph into a diary about changing your life and moving to a small town in Montana.

How 'bout that? Maybe some of you will come and visit me there?!

No Knot Embroidery

2008-05-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

The Alabama Stitch book inspired me to start embroidering on these little muslin bags. Natalie describes "loving your thread" before you start stitching. Basically, while you're running your fingers over your thread to straighten it you say to yourself "I'm making this special for someone I love." I thought that was completely adorable. These were stitched without any knots or a plan. I just let the needle guide me. I start stitching on the outside of the bag and leave the frayed ends as part of the look I want to achieve.

I've been unable to post regularly because personal matters have taken up a lot of my attention. Ever since my Gram died, we've been under constant attack by our neighbors regarding the remodeling of our home. It's been a very trying time and we certainly would appreciate your prayers.

As you can tell, I'm thinking a lot about homes and trees. A person's home is so very personal. It is a place where your heart is, it's your sanctuary and somewhere you should feel safe. Unfortunately, a lot of that has been ripped away from us. I feel very sad about it because Buck and I were so excited to have a new home and now we're just trying to finish it so we can sell it and move away.

We've found some places in Montana with a lot of acreage, so maybe that's where we'll end up. I've always wanted to move back and maybe God is telling me that now is the time. Life is too short to live in a place where people watch your every move and literally hate you. It gives me an upset stomach which causes me to lose weight. I guess that's a bonus.

I pray every day to remain calm in the middle of the storm. I've had a lot of storms in my life and I'm getting to the age where I'd really like to have less of them. If it means moving away, well then I guess that's what we'll have to do. I'm sad, but it's just a house.

My heart is broken but it needs to heal somewhere else.

My Birthday Month

2008-05-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

It's my birthday month and Buck wanted to know what I wanted this year. I told him I wanted to learn how to sail. There's a sailing school in our little town. They have the cutest little one person sailboats I've ever seen. One evening, while I was watching the students sail around the inlet, I decided I wanted to learn. I've always been fascinated with them. So, I'll be writing to let you know how my lessons are progressing.

I also told Buck I wanted a yarn ball winder (can't believe I've lived all these years without one) and a new iron 'cause I'm really not happy with my Rowenta. They're really overrated! I know, an iron?! That ain't a gift! But, this one is so retro and cool and cheap, that I really wanted one. I loved the old heavy one my gram used to have.

Every night for the past two weeks, I've been sitting and reading the Alabama Stitch book I picked up in DC. It's a really cool book and it's inspired me to develop my own embroidery technique which I now call No Knot Embroidery. I'll show you pictures soon. I'm really excited with how my little projects are turning out.

I've been suffering from a severe sore throat these past couple of days so I'm trying to take it easy. Plus, there are all sorts of remodeling decisions to be made on the house. We've picked out the appliances and pretty much have the flooring decisions made. Everything is progressing nicely and the house should be finished by August at the latest!

Polaroids

2008-04-28T16:58:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd share some Polaroids that I took last night. Buck has an old camera he doesn't use any longer and he even had 10 boxes of film! I hit the mother lode! Woo Hoo!

The Green Revolution

2008-04-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Silverstyles is a trade magazine out of Hong Kong and they recently featured me in an article about recycled silver.

Since I've been using recycled silver for over 8 years now and have been selling my creations on the web for 5, they dubbed me as one one of the leaders in this area. I had no idea.

Here's the article. If you click on it you can see it better. I also thought the information about silver mining was interesting.

I've never seen an article about me written in Chinese. It's kinda weird and cool at the same time! C'mon O! I know you want me on your show! :-)

Just kiddin! But I would do it if you asked! {blush}

The Baroque Pearl Choker

2008-04-22T09:11:00.001-07:00

Once upon a time, I owned a jewelry design business called "String You Along" and sold my jewelry through a sales rep at the Seattle Gift Center. This was one of my designs.

Sometimes, when a piece is made it can be ahead of its time.. so to speak. This piece was one I'd say fit into that category. It has remained one of my favorites. It also comes in soft hemp, so I'll be offering that version also.

It's a very simple but striking piece and a few years ago a Seattle news anchorwoman wore one on the local newscast. You can purchase it on my Etsy site. The one I put up yesterday sold already, so I put up five more today.

I have some very exciting news to share with you tomorrow. Seems my little internet company has been dubbed one of the leaders in recycled silver jewelry.

Who knew?!

Time to plant some seeds!

2008-04-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

I've always loved the seed packages of Martha's. I've got the spring fevah pretty bad even though it snowed here yesterday!

Sorry I haven't been around much. It's been hard getting back into the swing of things after Gram's passing. Ya always think people are going to be around forever and when they're gone, it sure is a big shock.

I've been working on all sorts of stuff and can't wait to share. I promise, I'll get my groove back. :-)

A letter to Gram...

2008-04-12T16:14:00.001-07:00

This past Monday, we laid Gram to rest. I read this letter at her funeral. My daughter had written it to her just a few days before she passed away. I thought I'd share it with you. You can click on each page for a closer look.

I'd also like to thank everyone who sent their condolences via email and comments. They're appreciated more than you know.

{hugs}

Maize

The Circle Of Life

2008-04-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Gram passed away on Thursday morning while Levi and I were in NYC. I knew she didn't have much time left. I'll be returning from DC on Saturday and then flying out to Montana on Sunday. The funeral is Monday morning and I'll be flying back Monday night.

I'm sad.

I'll be back soon.

In my kitchen windowsill

2008-03-27T11:14:00.001-07:00

I was down at the house remodel yesterday and found these little cuties that I'd completely forgotten about. Even though it was hailing yesterday, I know spring is right around the corner. C'mon Mother Nature, bring me a little global warming. Pretty pleeeze...

I received a nice surprise yesterday when Discovery Channel's Treehugger blog featured my Doodle Tags. Thanks so much Beth! And Craftzine's Blog featured the Doodle tag also! Thanks Nat!

I'm gonna be gone until April 5th. I'm taking Levi to Washington DC and NYC for Spring break. I wish we would have picked someplace warmer but I thought he'd appreciate some history and seeing a Broadway play with his mom before he leaves the nest. It's only a few more months and he'll be graduating and leaving for boot camp. My baby boy finally leaves. :-(

When I return I'll have a houseguest from New Zealand! I can't wait to meet her!

A Blast From The Past

2008-03-21T10:03:00.001-07:00

Hey YOU! Yeah, YOU! Get me outta here!!!

I was in St. V's the other day and spotted this mushroom jar for 75 cents. I decided I wanted to make a terrarium. It reminds me of the 70's when I was growing up. I made several of them back then. I also found the little metal watering can at St. V's and decided to make a little gnome from Fimo clay. He kinda looks forlorn doesn't he? Like, "Oh Oh, I'm stuck in here for the rest of my life!"

Terrariums are super simple to make. Find a glass container, put a small layer of pebbles on the bottom along with a layer of carbon or charcoal. Carbon? Yeah, it's the stuff you use to clean the water in aquariums. You can find it in the pet aisle at Walmart. You'll have enough carbon to last you the rest of your life.

I went to Home Depot and found a little plant for 88 cents. Then, I pulled some moss off of a tree in the backyard and put it over the top of the carbon. We have lots and lots of moss here.

I'm really happy with the result. The Gnome still creeps me out though. :-)

Max & Violet On The Sofa

2008-03-20T16:26:00.001-07:00

They get along better every day.....

Photo courtesy of Levi's Blackberry

The Love Shack

2008-03-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

Since the house remodel has taken up a bunch of my brain matter, all I can think about is how it's going to look when it's finished and what I'm going to put back in it.

The other night, I was on Etsy looking around for house stuff and found little custom pottery bowls. Ever since Buck and I bought our house we've always referred to it as the Love Shack. So, to get into the spirit of the remodel, I ordered this bowl from Handgrown Pottery. She's got a bunch of cute stuff and can custom make anything for you.

Isn't it the cutest?

Gram update

2008-03-14T12:49:00.001-07:00

This is my Grandma and Grandpa when they got married. She was 17 and he was 26. Grandpa died 35 years ago from lung cancer. She adored him.

Gram is in a nursing home for good now and she's not happy about it one bit. Today, she told a nurse she'd give her $500 bucks if she'd bust her outta there and take her back to her retirement apartment. The nurse told her that once she was able to toilet herself she could go back to assisted living. Gram got mad and started crying and screaming at the nurse.

Poor thing. She's knows what's going on but is too weak to do anything about it and too strong to accept it.

God bless her.

Tissue Flowers

2008-03-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

I was wandering around Michaels the other day and saw Martha's tissue flower craft kit. These are supposed to look like peonies but for some reason mine didn't turn out looking even close to one! Usually Martha's craft kits are pretty easy. This wasn't at all. It took me almost three hours to finish these four flowers and my hands got really waxy because of the floral tape. Yuck. I don't recommend this kit, but there might be easier ones to try.

I love these colors together along with the curly willow. I'll probably keep them for a while.

I'm Crow Shayin...

2008-03-11T23:48:00.001-07:00

Yup. Yup. Word to yer mutha! Check it out! This pic is right outta the camera peeples! Sunny day y'all! Looks like I'm gettin this crow shayin thang figured out.

Seems Washington is considerin' outlawing plastic bags now, so I've been busy makin' some. I made one from hemp and the other three from cotton yarn. The flower is made from embroidery thread.

And, naw. I didn't make the granny square blanket. Got it from Buck's Granny.

Yo! Update on Tracyton Boulevard!

Wanna win some stuff?

2008-03-10T10:53:00.001-07:00

Okay little bunnies...Hop on over to Island Life to sign up for a $300 gift certificate that I'm giving away on Mommy Tags. You can use it for anything on the site. C'mon...you know you want to! Here's the link. And you can earn some extra entries by linking from your blog! It's also open to anyone on the planet.

Now...go forth and enter!

UPDATES!

2008-03-08T17:16:00.001-08:00

The new Doodle Tag is now available over at Mommy Tags!

And, there's a new Tracyton Boulevard update!

Check them out!

My Gram

2008-03-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

I was in Montana this week visiting family. Usually my brother picks me up at the airport, but when I arrived no one was there. I gave him a quick call and discovered he was at the hospital because my Gram had just been admitted. She was found unconscious in her room by the assisted living staff and was rushed to the ER. Since he's an RN, my mother called him to come and help.

Gram is 93 and one of the sweetest people I know. This picture was taken of us about 8 years ago while we were all in Vegas. She had broken her wrist but that didn't stop her from having fun!

Gram's doing better but we had to move her to a full fledged nursing home. She's not happy about it but she has to be there. She's about 75 pounds now and deteriorating quickly. She has some dementia and is having a hard time putting thoughts together. Before I left yesterday, she told me that a cute guy had given her a bath. I told her that I'd like to move in with her just so a cute guy could give me a bath. She thought that was funny.

She's spunky and quite a fighter but I think it was the last time I'll get to see her. I'd like to remember her smiling and laughing as she's doing in this picture.

Me Boy Harry...

2008-03-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

I'm so proud of Harry. I teared up when I watched this. Princess Diana and I are the same age and I wish she was here watching her baby Harry and what a prize he's become. I'm sure she's in heaven beaming with pride.

If you listen carefully, you'll hear him refer to his girlfriend as "my only girl." I melted. Sigh...what a good boy. God love him.

This makes me think of my son Levi and his ambitions to be a Marine. We had long talks about joining. One night during a heart to heart conversation, I told him I'd be devastated if something terrible happened. I didn't want him to purposely put himself in harm's way.

He took my hand in his and said "Mom, I want to do this. I understand my purpose in life and I'm joining so others don't have to."

Gulp.

Maize's Word List

2008-03-02T22:22:00.001-08:00

Practice makes Perfect!

Hey! It's me...Violet!

2008-03-01T10:55:00.001-08:00

My mom wanted me to tell you that she updated the Tracyton Boulevard blog today. There's lots of stuff goin' on over there with the remodel.

She also wanted you to see me after I got my first haircut. Don't I look cute with the little flower in my hair? I know....I'm a sweetie girl...you just wanna hug me now don't you?!

Hello!

2008-02-29T09:59:00.000-08:00

My Mac's been back in the shop all week so I've been unable to post pictures. It should be fixed today so I'll be up and running again shortly... hopefully without any more interruptions.

My brother emailed me this vintage Bob Hope clip and I thought I'd share it with you 'cause it made me laugh.

For the record, I'm an independent voter and wait until the last minute to make my decision--which I may abstain from for the first time in 28 years--so please accept this with the humor in which it is intended and don't bother posting any nasty comments or send me any hate mail 'cause that just ain't nice.

I'll also be posting some new updates on the house remodel over on Tracyton Boulevard. We're in full construction mode now! YAY!!!