♥ Starting To Decorate ♥

Well..............I debated with myself, was I going to put up Christmas decorations this year or not......yes, no maybe so........well here it is, the start of the decorating. Usually I decorate the dinningroom table, so this was the first thing I did tonight. Had started addressing my Christmas cards last night, now that is a first (so early in the season). Won't be buying alot of gifts this year. Depends on who was naughty or nice this year.....hahahahaha.

Tomorrow I go to see the Doctor for information about diabetes. Guess he will tell me what I can eat, or what my options are, not really sure what he will do. I sure don't want to take shots, hopefully this is something that can be controlled with diet and exercise. Of which I am not doing so good with at this point. I do ride my stationary bike 5 miles a day, sometimes 10 miles. Guess that is good, but maybe I should be doing more for this body!!! I have been so busy taking care of JP and his body, I forgot mine. We have been doing pretty good at controlling his gout. Feeding him the things that do not produce purines that cause him to get pain in his joints. Guess I need to watch what I put in my mouth. When we were young we just did not take care and ate anything, now we are paying for those wrong choices.

Well, I think I will close this blog for tonight, keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!

Cheers ~ Louise

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Have a great Thanksgiving and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!!
Cheers ~ Louise

WOW-WEEEE........65 Years Of Living!!!!

My 65th birthday was a fun-filled day with a few blessings intermingled along the way. Birthday blessings came from friends on facebook. JP went to pick up our car from VanLinn's, car needed brakes. Worked out our itenery for the day (probably enough things to do for a couple of days...hahaha) but the main thing was the free steak dinner at BJ Clancey's which I look forward to every year.

First stop was the Fox Valley Antique Mall in Grand Chute. Big place with lots of things to look at. We were looking for a "rug beater" found two, both for $9, we got one (now I am sure that is not the original cost when it was new, probably more like a couple of dollars in the 1800's and 1900's) But with inflation even antiques go up in price!!! I also found out that my Black Hawk Bober Head is worth $245.......as you can see by the picture below. I actually have all six team bober heads, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Redwings and the Chicago Black Hawks.....(mmmmm that could pay for more car repairs as there is a antifreeze leak that will cost $700 to fix).

Next picture is my steak and fries, oh yum it was delicious as usual. Along with this came a salad and bread with honey butter and coffee.

JP's dinner consisted of fried perch and american fries and salad.

This was my dessert, chocolate ice cream with a sparkler on top.............we shared!

Below is a picture of my birthday cake..........I chose pumpkin pie with whip cream. In the background is a portable DVD player, which I have been wanting for a couple of years......finally got one with the money my stepfather sent me for my birthday. The DVD player in my computer has not been working very well lately so this gift came just in time.

All in all I had a good day, full of blessings galore, thank you Jesus for 65 years, that's more then I ever thought I would have.......my, my 65 hard to believe!!!!
Well, I shall close this blog for today, hope to get some cards up in the next few days and into my Etsy store. Been slacking there for sure. Guess, no sales, no motivation is my problem. Well you have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!!
Cheers ~ Louise

Friday Funday - What's New With You!!!!

Hi everyone.......how is your day going so far? Trying to think of something funny to write, but all escapes me right now. Think I will look for a funny picture..........be back in awhile!Well, here is a picture of how I am feeling today..........yep, that's me. Found out yesterday, I am diabetic AND to make matters worse, the brakes went out on my car to the tune of $600, also the car is leaking antifreeze $700 to fix that and to top that off the exhaust is bad and needs to be replaced $500. Not exactly sure where the money is coming from, sooooooooooooo like the above puppy dog, I will just continue to lay down and sleep through all of this. We have had this Ford Tarus for a year now and it has cost us more money then it is worth.............Oh how I wish I could have a NEW CAR!!!!

A few other things going wrong, the roof still leaks after having it fixed for $1200, the dogs have flees. JP's car is on it's last wheels, too many things to get fixed, we may just junk it and get $200+ for it. Then we will be down to one car. I am beginning to think that the Senior Years are not so much the "Golden Years" anymore but the "Tarnished Years". We are getting bombarded from every direction!!!!!


Well, I am closing my Friday Funday blog for today. Hope your day is much better. Monday is my birthday, 65 years, hope things get better!!!! Still Cheers ~ Louise

Antique Finds and Tatting

Went on an antique excursion Saturday and picked up a few things. Hubs said he had $6.00 for a present for my birthday next week..........soooooo here is what I got: A Gordon Ramsey cookbook, a biscuit cutter, a beautiful purple and white crocheted doily, a box of tatting thread and a tatting shuttle. We actually went over budget by $8 though, oh well....but these things are all useful, even though they are old they still serve a purpose. (kinda like us Senior Citizens....huh!)

I found some old ledgers at the first antique shop, was very interesting to read them. In one ledger, the person was keeping track of how much was either ordered or spent in the grocery dept and merchandise dept. I looked on November, 1911 (100 years ago) rent was $8.00, eggs 10 cents, shoes $5, flour 15 cents, etc., everything was under $7 the most expensive was the rent.....was pretty cheap back then, but then pay was not high, guess everything is in proportion.
See my little tatting shuttle to the right, now if I can just learn to use it. Been going on Youtube for tutorials, but I have found that in each tutorial, each woman does it different, guess I just have to find the one that suites me. Stay tuned, someday I may be tatting, though it may take awhile.

Well, I shall cut this blog short, have to go make the husband his lunch and dinner before he leaves for work. Cheers ~ Louise

Friday Funday and Part 3 of Elena and Her Works of Art

Today I am going to show off some more of Elena's works of art from her Etsy Store. If you would like to visit her Etsy store and maybe even buy something from her store go to: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopGift?ref=si_shop. Hope you have enjoyed this featured interview with Elena on my blog, sure was alot of fun to do. The above picture is a white tatted doily.

The above picture here are some lovely tatted book marks. Below is a beautiful tatted red box.
In the next picture below is a beautiful tatted white collar.

In this picture below a lovely tatted table runner........so pretty!

Last, but not least a lovely tatted floral runner, must have taken many, many hours to make this one.
So there you have it..........hope you enjoyed looking at Elena's tatting projects, all of them are so very pretty. Each piece worthy of a royal place in someone's home. Keepsakes to hand down to the next generation. One of my favorite things to do, is going to antique stores.....I always check out the doilies, and just looking at all the lovely stitches of each handmade doily. Wondering, who was this woman or even child that made this, what was her life like, when and where did she live........you know, questions that probably will never be answered.

In this interview, I was honored to introduce you to Elena Kozinenro from Crimea, Ukraine. If you ever run across some of her works of art, at least you can say..........."oh, I know who made this" and you won't have to wonder because you read about Elena here.

Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

Wednesday's Part 2 Interview With Elena from Crimea, Ukraine

Hi there everyone, how you all doing on this cold, rainy and snowy day in November. Well at least that is what the weather is like here in Wisconsin. It's a good day to work on this blog, do some housework and make a few cards for my Etsy store. Bought some ribbon yesterday to start working on my Christmas cards. With Christmas being next month, I better get moving, cards have to be in the mail by December 10th the latest. Below is what my Christmas cards will be looking like, I've changed the tree a little, but the background is pretty much the same.

Now on to the rest of my interview with Elena from Crimea Ukraine. It's been fun getting to know Elena and I just love her beautiful works of art. I've been doing a little bit of crocheting, actually making a doily right now, but in no way does my doily look like Elena's beautiful tatting work. Went into Hobby Lobby yesterday and picked up a magazine showing directions on Tatting??????? I was completely confused????? It is nice to know, there are people like Elena that can carry on the art of Tatting and pass it on to others.

Above is a beautiful white doily, below are a pair of earrings and a necklace ~ lovely, lovely work!
8. How do we find you on Etsy?

My Shop on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/ShopGift?ref=si_shop Welcome!

9. Can we find you on Facebook, Twitter, and do you have a blog site?
www.facebook.com/pages/ShopGift/239536126069095
pinterest.com/elenakozinenko/

10. Have you seen enough of the world or is there a place you would like to go?

I like to travel. I want to visit China and see pandas!

11. Do you have another talent or hobby? I like embroidery and knitting.

12. What is your favorite flavor ice cream of all time? Creme brulee.

13. Your favorite color and shape? My favorite colors: red, green, purple, white.

14. Your favorite drink and food? I love chocolate!

15. Your favorite month and season of the year? Spring, of course!

16. Your favorite TV show, movie, book?

I love classic music, like: Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Vivaldi. Book: Boris Akunin, Isaac Asimov.

17. Your favorite thing to do? I love traveling, listening to music, growing flowers.

18. Make a comment here of what ever you would like to say.

I am very glad that Etsy is not just a place to sell, but here I found many like-minded people and friends! I want to wish everyone: Fantasize and create, art brings beauty into our lives!

19. Name 3 favorite websites you couldn't live without. Etsy, FB and Pinterest!

In this picture are Christmas ornaments, wouldn't these look lovely on a Christmas tree?

Well there you have it, all the questions I asked of Elena, I am sure there could have been more questions to ask. Elena was translating my questions into her language then back into english. So I suspect that was quite a project for her. Friday I shall put a few more of her works of art on my blog. Hope you all enjoyed this interview, please stop by again, as you never know what I may say or do on my cards4ubylouise.blogspot!!!!!

Have a good day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!!!
Cheers ~ Louise

A Interview Featuring Elena from the Ukraine - Part 1

Hi fellow bloggers, how is your week going so far? Well as you can see by the title of my blog, I am doing an interview featuring Elena from Crimea, Ukraine. My last interview with Gail from Michigan was 4/4-8/11. Gail makes very beautiful Ukrainian Easter Eggs. To see her interview go to http://cards4ubylouise.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html and scan down to Parts 1, 2 and 3.

So, you might ask, why another Ukrainian Artist? Well, to answer that question, guess I am just partial to Ukrainians......as my mother married into a Ukrainian family, I was sort of adopted into their beliefs too. I heard many, many stories of their former country and the life they led till they came to the United States of America. Grams was the best cook of Ukrainian food........oh yum, miss those days of family dinners and delicious food!!!! Pops is 85 years old and lives in Las Vegas, most of the family and friends have died except for a niece and nephew.

Well, I guess I could ramble on and on about those days, but I better get on with this interview, this is the 1st part. Part 2 & 3 will come on Wednesday and Friday. Following is a beautiful doily that Elena made called tatting. Enjoy........her works of art and her interview.

1. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, and how did you got started on Etsy?

I live in Crimea, Ukraine. This is a wonderful place. We have a beautiful nature, sea, mountains, waterfalls, rare plants and animals, a mild climate here. I'm a happy wife and I have two grown sons (27 and 26 years old). I also have a pet (German Shepherd) 12 years old and it's a member of our family too. I am a Piano teacher and accompanist. I've worked 25 years at music and ballet school. Now I'm a housewife. I love giving gifts to family and friends. Gifts made by myself. At home I have a lot of handmade things. Friends have always said that such beauty should be shown at the exhibition. And my sister said that my products can not only be shown, but also to be sold! She advised me to create an Etsy hosted shop.

2. When and how did you become interested in tatting?

I've liked needlework since childhood. I was 7 years old and I asked my mother: Type series of loops on the needles, I'll knit a scarf for my doll! I grew up and my art became more sophisticated. I knit for myself and family. Sweaters and dresses with complex multicolored ornaments, knitting and crocheting, cross-embroidering, weaving, makrame, sewing patchwork. A year ago my sister gave me a set of needle tatting tools. Since then, tatting is my main hobby!

3. What is your inspiration for each idea and where do you get the ideas?

I find ideas everywhere: in magazines, internet, all around me. I see a yellow leaf fall from a tree and imagine a napkin, as it is similar to the sheet. I imagine a bag as similar to the autumn garden. I see a cloud in the blue sky and imagine the delicate white napkin, as the air! I watch a movie about a French king and imagine a collar of the dress just like a cape. Now I only have to make these fantasies by myself!

4. How many hours do you spend on each tatting doily?

Tatting is a very time-consuming and laborious technique. Operation times vary depending on the number of nodes. The more complicated the pattern, the longer it takes for the job. I made a small doily (5 - 7 inches in circumference) for about 40 minutes or an hour.

5. How did you feel when you sold your first tatting item on Etsy?

When I sold my first item on Etsy - it was a surprise and great joy for me! It was a large round white tablecloth!

6. What tools do you use for your craft that you cannot live without?

I use a tatting shuttle and needle. I love working with cotton mercerized thread.

7. What is a typical day for you and your favorte time of the day?

I do not have the same plan for all days. In different days, I'm doing different things: yard work, housekeeping, a trip to the store ... But I plan tatting every day for not less than 5 hours! I can not live without this art!

Hope you enjoyed Part 1 of this interview. Part 2 will be on Wednesday with a few more pictures. If you would like to visit Elena's Etsy store, go to: www.etsy.com/shopgift?ref=si_shop She is also on facebook and pinterest. You will see those addresses in Part 2.

Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

Friday Funday ~ What's New With You????????

Hi there fellow bloggers, so what's new with you today??????? I'm still taking my meds for that UTI. Feeling much better.....thank God! I was totally surprised by the fact that I had this infection, feeling a little uncomfortable for many months was my only complaint. So, I thought this was a normal thing for a 64 going on 65 year old. NO, it was not normal, now I know. Only problem is I have to take this medication on an empty stomach, but I never know when the stomach is empty. Well, maybe in about 1/2 hour I will take a pill, type alittle, then zonk out, cause that is what it does, makes me drowsey and tired.

Went to the Library yesterday.......FINALLY found this cookbook I have been wanting to see before I bought it at Barns and Noble. My husband has Gout, so I have wanted to see some of the recipes from this cookbook. They are very simple and basic, like "eggs parmasian" sounds good, think I will try it in the next week or so. Another cookbook I got was "Just 1oo Calories" looked like a good one for Louise to try, as I am always on a diet of some sort.....lol! The third book is on stamping. "Making Cards with Rubber Stamps" thought there might be some new ideas I could try.

The three books

Eight DVD's, this shall keep me busy for the week. 1 Cardmaking Dvd and 2 Crocheting Dvd's (as I am into making doily's fof a season), 2 diet Dvd's "You on a Diet Workout" and "You on a Diet" (two different authors, should be interesting, hopfully not boring) the other 3 movies, "The Blind Side" with Sandra Bullock. "Gifted Hands" The Ben Carson Story and "The Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. That all should keep me busy and out of trouble for the week at least. Will let you know if I try any new recipes from the cookbooks.

Well, I think I shall shut down this blog for now, the medication is starting to work, doesn't take much. Be sure to stop by on Monday to see my blog as I will be doing an interview with Elena from the Ukraine, if all works out well and I didn't overwhelm her with questions.

Take care and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh.

Cheers ~ Louise

The First Day of November

Thirty days hast November ~ wonder what this month will bring. Well, on this first day of November, went for a visit to the doctor today, blood pressure check, (the pressure always goes up when I go in to see the doctor) blood work and they also found out I have UTI and need to get some antibiotic pills at Shopko along with more blood pressure pills. Oh the joys of getting older.

Another thing happening this month, I shall be turning 65 on the 21st.........geez, where did the time go????? One day you are 27 and the next thing, you wake up and you're 65. Never wish your life away it will come fast enough. I am hoping we can go out for dinner someplace, would like to go to BJ Clancy's will have to call them to see if it is okay to come there on that Monday for lunch so I can get a free steak and lots of fries.

Supposedly, on November 9th at 2pm EST all communication will shut down for 3 minutes all across the US. Just because the "Elite" want to see if they can control this country, and if it works, look to see that it just may happen again and again and for longer periods of time. Could you imagine the ramifications of this.....ALL communication shut down, what about planes in the air, cell phones, computers, hospital's, police, ambulances, radio, TV just to name a few things. All for the sake of control and the all mighty $$$$$$

This month, I am going to do a "featured Interview" with an Etsy Artist from the Ukraine. She does beautiful tatting, kind of like crocheting, but so much more lacey looking. I have thought about trying it myself, but for now crocheting is fine.

Looks like we still need some roof work, another leak showed up over the weekend in a completely different place............I became very depressed at the thought of another leak, I hope the leak can be found and fixed without causing too much damage and $$$$.

My daughter turns 42 this month on the 14th..........again, where did that time go.

Thanksgiving on the 24th, oh yum I can smell a turkey in the oven already and pumkin pie....ready freddy here we come!!!

I am sure more will be happening this month, just hope not as fast and furious as things have been lately......... but let it be "everything is calm and quiet" as my mother always said.

You all have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh ~ cheers ~ Louise