You are a Basket Weaving Addict If...

This has been circulating around the internet. The best I can determine is the original author is Kim Renich, weaver, basket designer and pattern writer. Enjoy this bit of basket humor.

Baskets of Blessings,

Nancy

You know you're addicted to basket weaving if... by Kim Renich
(Nancy's comments are in parenthesis)

• You have patterns you bought 2 years ago that you've never made!
• You've bought the same pattern twice without realizing you already had it!
• You have more than one tape measure! (and you've snipped a tape measure while cutting stakes)
• You've snipped a "V" in the tip of your finger while cutting a stake! (I've done this! Yikes it hurt!)
• You have half finished baskets that you know you'll never finish but can't bear to throw out!
• You weave until you discover a problem and then go back and read the directions!
• Your basket supplies get the biggest closet in the house!
• Your shirts have dye splatters on them!
• You have so many patterns that you've alphabetized them!
• You've cut up at least one basket
• You hope your husband doesn't ask you how much you spent in class that night! (or online at the basket shop)
• And...You know you're addicted to baskets if every room in your house has a basket in it!

2010 Ultimate Blog Party

Dear Friends,

I just wanted to let you know about the Ultimate Blog Party going on over at 5 Minutes For Mom. It's running now through April 16th. I always think it is nice to find like minded women and great ideas.

5 Minutes for Mom is an interesting place to visit. When you visit their home page you will find links to things such as 5 Minutes for Parenting, 5 Minutes for Faith, and so much more.

Come join the fun. You might win some cool prizes, but more importantly you might meet a great friend on a new blog.

Blessings,

Nancy

NaBloPoMo End of the month results

I did it! I actually did 37 posts this month. It was a challenge yet so much fun. Count me in to do this again.

Happy Blogging Everyone,

Nancy

NaBloPoMo

NaBloPoMo starts today. It is a commitment to blog once a day for a month. That's it! It's a way for others to learn about you and for you to learn about others. I can do this for a month. If you'd like to join in, you may HERE. I'll be putting up my first official post shortly.
Nancy

It's My Birthday and If You Were A Girl in the 70's - Gift Basket

First my Blogoversary and now, today is my birthday! I'll admit it, I'm 45. Wow! Where does the time go? I wonder what will be in store for me today. I'll let you know tomorrow!

Enjoy the gift box basket. As you can see it is two baskets just one on top of the other with the lid basket being a bit larger. The natural stakes are 1/2" flat. Look closely on the lid. There is an additional 1/4" flat stake on each of the 4 sides to give it just that bit of increase in size that it needs.
Hugs and Blessings to you all,
Nancy
ps.
This was in an e-mail that came to me. I could relate so much to it because I was a girl in the 70's. As I read it, it sounded like they were talking about me. Oh the memories. I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did.

IF YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL IN THE 70'S...
You wore a rainbow shirt that was half-sleeves, and the rainbow went up one sleeve, across your chest, and down the other.
You made baby chocolate cakes in your Easy Bake Oven and washed them down with snow cones from your Snoopy Snow Cone Machine.
You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked.
You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it.
You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels.
You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!)
You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island.
You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days.
You had either a "bowl cut" or! "pixie," not to mention the "Dorothy Hamil" because your Mom was sick of braiding your hair. People sometimes thought you were a boy.
Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession.
You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.
You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon.
You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits.
You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once.
You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color.
You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle). You also had a pair of salt-water sandals.
You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Olson!
You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink.
Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you kept it "pretty" with the comb you kept in your back pocket.
You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie.
You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic. You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend.
Every now and then "It's a Hard Knock Life" from the movie, "Annie" will pop into your brain and you can't stop singing it the whole day.
YOU had Star Wars action figures, too!
It was ! a big event in your household each year when the "Wizard of Oz" would come on TV. Your mom would break out the popcorn and sleeping bags!
You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: "Who will I marry. Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or Rick Springfield?"
You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album.
You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom. Pot holders - I believe they were called "loom loopers"
You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts!
You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker.
You couldn't wait to get the free animal poster that came when you ordered books from the Weekly Reader book club. Double score if it was a teddy bear dressed in clothing.
You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books
You thought Olivia Newton John's song "Physical" was about aerobics
You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart or rainbow designs.
You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer.
You had a Big Wheel with a brake on the side, and a Sit-n-Spin.
You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat.
You spent all your allowance on smurfs and stickers for your sticker album!

You Know You're Addicted to Basket Weaving If...

This has been circulating around the internet. The best I can determine is the original author is Kim Renich, weaver, basket designer and pattern writer. Enjoy this bit of basket humor.

Baskets of Blessings,

Nancy

You know you're addicted to basket weaving if... by Kim Renich
(Nancy's comments are in parenthesis)

• You have patterns you bought 2 years ago that you've never made!


• You've bought the same pattern twice without realizing you already had it!


• You have more than one tape measure! (and you've snipped a tape measure while cutting stakes)


• You've snipped a "V" in the tip of your finger while cutting a stake! (I've done this! Yikes it hurt!)


• You have half finished baskets that you know you'll never finish but can't bear to throw out!


• You weave until you discover a problem and then go back and read the directions!


• Your basket supplies get the biggest closet in the house!


• Your shirts have dye splatters on them!


• You have so many patterns that you've alphabetized them!


• You've cut up at least one basket


• You hope your husband doesn't ask you how much you spent in class that night! (or online at the basket shop)


• And...You know you're addicted to baskets if every room in your house has a basket in it!

The Basketweaver's Creed

To the best of my knowledge, this creed was originally published in the Basket Reeder about 15 years ago. I do not know who the original author is to give them credit.

Enjoy and Happy Weaving,

Nancy

Creed for Beginning Basketweavers
Thou shalt never weave with dry reed, lest thy reed break; nor soggy reed, lest it turn hairy.
Thou shalt not overlap weavers on corners; too much corner thickness a clumsy basket makes.
Thous shalt identify the smooth and rough sides of each piece of reed and place the rough surface inside the basket.
Thou shalt inspect thy kit and be sure they weavers and thy stakes are correctly identified.
Thou shalt remember that the position of the spokes determines the shape of the basket; spokes, like infants, take constant care and attention.
Thou shalt read thy pattern completely before beginning.
Thou shalt obtain and use sharp pointed tools for cutting; sewing scissors are for cutting fabric.
Thou shalt not become easily discouraged; keep practicing.
Thou shalt pack down before turning down.
Thou shalt cut thy longest lengths of reed first, lest thou come up short.
Thou shalt cut one entire length of reed before starting another; this preventeth waste.
Thou shalt always buy patterns with colored pictures, or if without color photos, then from their creator or a shop that guarantee-eth the authenticity of the pattern, lest thou purchase bootleg patters, which are stolen property.
Thou shalt not store neither thy reed nor they baskets in plastic bags, except for brief periods, lest such become mildewed. Likewise, leave them not outdoors at night, lest the dew fall on them and mildew bloom.
Whenever possible, thou shalt mark thy tools with thine own name, lest they become lost.
Thou shalt always remember an experienced weaver is just a phone call or e-mail message away. Ask for help.

Thursday Thoughts--An Inexpensive Basket Liner

This list of coffee filter uses is being passed around on the internet. The original author is unknown. My first thought about it is, "What a great, inexpensive basket liner." If you have a small round basket, stick a coffee filter in it. If you are using the basket as a holder for pens and pencils, the coffee filter will keep the basket from getting marked up. If you are using your basket to hold candy or small edible goodies, the coffee filter will keep the basket from getting crumbs or soiled. I'm sure you can think of many other uses, but honestly, a coffee filter liner just looks cute and clean.
Love,
Nancy
Here is the list:
COFFEE FILTERS
Coffee filters ..who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for almost nothing.
1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.
2. Clean windows and mirrors. Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.
3. Protect ChinaSeparate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish.
4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.
5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.
6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.
7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.
9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.
10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter toprevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.
11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.
12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters.
13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them.Soaks out all the grease.
14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

My First Blog Award!

Oh Happy Day as I have received my first blog award from Shari at http://sharisrandomramblings.blogspot.com/

Thank you Shari!

If you've been presented with this award, this is what you need to do...Thank the person who gave the award to you, post the award on you blog or on a post, nominate 10 blogs which show great attitude/gratitude, link to the people you chose on your post, and comment on their blogs to tell them about the award! Be sure to copy the award onto your blog!

Here's who I am passing the award onto. These are wonderful people who are creative and honestly their blogs make my day!

1. Naomi, my sweet friend, wonderful scrapbooker and learning to be an awesome basket weaver at http://naomiockerman.blogspot.com/

2. Vicki at http://mycreativecorner3.blogspot.com/

3. The Southern Housewife at http://hersoutherncharm.blogspot.com/

4. Tea at http://foothillsofthegreatsmokymountains.blogspot.com/

5. Denise at http://calicorabbit.blogspot.com/

6. http://bakerella.blogspot.com/

7. Roxanne at http://roxannetheartist.blogspot.com/

8. Dawn at http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/

9. Gabrielle at http://gabriellepollacco.blogspot.com/

10. Jill at http://happyinhorton.blogspot.com/

I hope you all enjoy visiting these blogs as much as I do. Have a blessed day!

Love,

Nancy

A Baking Cookbook Freebie!

Over at the Prepared Pantry, http://www.preparedpantry.com/

they are giving away a free 250 page baking e-book. Everything on their site looks so yummy I signed up to get my baking cookbook. They e-mail you one chapter a week for 8 weeks.

Hugs,

Nancy

Making Memories is posting live at CHA!

Making Memories is at CHA and they are having so much fun on their blog. Be sure to check them out right now at http://makingmemories.typepad.com/
They are broadcasting LIVE from CHA in Anaheim, CA and are showing some of the great new scrapbooking must haves. Plus they are giving away some awesome prizes!
Love,
Nancy

The Seed Manifesto

I first learned about The Seed Manifesto through Kimberly Wilson's 'Tranquility du jour' podcast at http://www.kimberlywilson.com/ I found this list of principles to be beautiful. I added a few of my own principles to the list in addition to the original which can be found at http://www.seednetwork.com/seed_advice/the_seed_manifesto.phtml The original list was exceptional, but as time has gone by I've discovered a few that I want to add and have included on my own list. I keep this list printed out and posted by my computer for me to see every day. I hope you enjoy and benefit from it as much as I do.

Love,

Nancy

The Seed Manifesto

I …………, affirm that I will

Put God first

Constantly plants seeds as well as pick the blooms

Keep the space and time to stay in tune with my higher self Never let go of the big vision

Be in charge of my choices

Put my values, including integrity, compassion and love, at the centre of my enterprise

Remember the three R’s: respect for self, respect for others, responsibility for all my actions

Believe in myself so others will too

Keep humour and laughter as vital ingredients of my business plan

Get up early in the morning

Make every day matter.

Not neglect my personal relationships, loved ones, and friends in any way

Manifest abundance in all areas of my life

Keep clutter to a minimum

Recognize my gifts and delegate the rest

Look at difficult situations from all perspectives

Welcome in mentors and mentor others in return

Be a team player

Light candles every day and surround myself with fresh flowers

Give people more than they expect

Talk slowly but think quickly

When I lose, don’t lose the lesson

Know my industry

Keep improving my technology skills

Smile when picking up the phone

Remember my body is my most important tool – stretch, exercise, breathe, go for a walk, dance

Every day try and read a poem, listen to an inspiring piece of music, look at a wonderful painting or go into nature

Drink six to eight glasses of pure water every day

Listen as well as talk

Learn the rules then break some

Know there is nothing more sexy than confidence

Remember that no-one, not even I am perfect, but I’m doing the best I can

A Wall Basket and Jazzercise

Ok, these are two totally unrelated things, but hey, that's the way it goes some days. This is a sweet little wall basket that uses a notched handle in the back. It is great for holding incoming mail or the dreaded bills.

My reason for posting Jazzercise is because I joined 3 weeks ago and they are having a nation wide event on Jan. 26th only. You can come in with me and your sign up fee is waived as well as your fee for the month of Feb. You do have to commit to pay for the following 2 months though. As for me, I don't get anything from Jazzercise by bringing you. What I do get though is your company at my classes! It is a very nice group of women. So if you are in the Rancho/Albuquerque area and have thought about it, send me an e-mail and we can coordinate getting together on that day. For those of you in other areas, you can contact your local Jazzercise for full details. One more thing, my local Jazzercise is starting a "Take it Off" program in Feb. and it runs for 3 months. It is their version of the Biggest Loser. (that is my favorite tv show right now). I have hopes to take off 10 pounds and if I take off 15 that would be PERFECT!
Baskets of Blessings,
Nancy

A Cool Photo

Nothing basket related today, just a cool photo of me taken at Explora, the Albuquerque Children's Museum. Here I am looking through a mirrored prism while my children take my picture.
Yesterday I went to a wonderful scrapbooking crop that Naomi hosted. Thanks Naomi. You can see her work here. http://www.naomiockerman.blogspot.com/
At the crop I worked on my recipes. I made a pretty altered recipe box to hold them. It is so nice to have all my recipes organized where I can find what I want. It also helps make menu planning a snap as I just pull out the recipes that I will be making over the next week. I have them all in protective photo sleeves so I can just take them to the grocery store with me to get my ingredients.
Tonight we are having chili in the crock pot. Yummy!
Have a blessed Sunday,
Love,
Nancy