WHERE DO YOU CREATE?

oh, the "stuff" that skirt hides! behind that skirt are rolling organizing bins with more fabric, scrapbook/paper crafting supplies and lots and lots of rubber stamp sets (I used to be a Stampin' Up representative.)

I've linked up with

PK at Room Remix {the blog}

where she's showcasing bloggers' craft rooms, studios, closets . . . any area where one can let their creative juices flow.

cardstock - 8-1/2x11 and 12x12

vertical storage of all my printed scrapbook paper.

Check out some of the links for great inspiration for your own creative space. Checking out PK's blog is a must while you're there. She offers some great inspiration and eye candy of her own at her fabulous site.

hardware organizing drawers purchased from the home center that I spray painted white. each drawer holds a different alphabet letter.

tall cabinet houses most of my quilting fabric.

just a sampling of my rubber stamps on display.

some words of inspiration (rub-on words).

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HAPPY NEW YEAR WISHES

I wanted to end the year here on my blog with very Happy New Year greetings to you all. As I sit here typing on my computer with Christmas music streaming through

yes, I'm still listening to C'mas music!

and a newly fallen snow outside, I wanted to send wishes to all for a healthy, happy, restful, prosperous Twenty-Ten!

Although this past year for our family presented many challenges, I do feel blessed with all we have . . . my children . . . my family . . . my health . . .

and most importantly . . . my husband, John.

Over the years, he's been a wonderful father, provider, friend. He's worked so hard for all that we have,

and for that I am grateful.

Also, I want to announce I'm reopening my Etsy shop. Etsy shop . . . you say? Oh yes! "CosmoGirl's Emporium" was an Etsy shop before it was a blog.

It was small, and I didn't have it open very long, but I vowed to reopen it someday. My plan is to have the

Grand Reopening January 18.

I'll be having some grand opening giveaways on that day, so stay tuned!

The shop will feature finished items as well as supply items. There will most likely be some thrifty finds and just items I feel it's time to part with.

I figure since I've lost more than a few clients this year, and I have a bit more free time, I would try to devote some of that time to working my Etsy shop more than I did/could when I first opened it.

Maybe I'll even find time to finish all my home dec projects . . . get caught up on my scrapbooking . . . get some of those quilt tops layered and quilted . . . start all those new quilts I've been dying to get to . . . finish the half-dozen or so cross stitch projects I started decades ago . . . organize my closet . . . clean and purge the unfinished side of the basement that's become my dumping ground . . . repaint my bedroom . . .

Oooo . . . think I better calm down there a bit! Don't want to bite off more than I can chew - like I usually do!

Before I tackle any of that, I really need to clean up my craft room. It looks as though

someone detonated a paper and glitter bomb in here. What a mess!

In closing, on this last day of the decade, I really want to thank all of you that found my humble little blog. The readers - those that comment, those that don't . . . the followers - those that are public, those that are anonymous . . . I appreciate you all. For so long I thought of starting a blog, but wondered

"who the heck would be interested in what I have to say and share???".

Well, I thank you all!

Me and Hubby will be ringing in the New Year tonight with just a few close friends. It will be a small affair. I look forward to a new start in a new decade. And, again, wishing you all the Happiest New Year ever!

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GOOD RIDDANCE 2009!

And I mean it!!!

This past year has not been one of the best in our family. We've certainly been tested with our share of life obstacles.

The heartbreaking loss of our beloved family dog, Coco, back in February to a heart condition just before her fifth birthday, set the tone for how the rest of our year would progress.

We had some pretty big medical scares that, thank God, turned out not so bad. And other medical issues that took months to find answers and treatment for, that still are not a hundred percent resolved.

Several HUGE unexpected expenses, on top of a pay cut (Going to vent loudly here! Our State's newly elected governor decided it was a good idea to help our states budget deficit by cutting salaries of all state employees. In other words, have the state employees suffer to help the financially ailing budget due to poor mismanagement of the prior administration - that included teachers and law enforcement, of which my Hubby is in the later group.) and loss of clients because of the economy.

The loss of my original diamond engagement ring.

Even among our extended family and friends, there were some hard times to face.

A major accident for a good friend still recovering 7 months later. Major health problems . . . loss of jobs . . . money troubles. It seemed like almost everyone we knew were suffering financial difficulties, health problems, or some other major issues.

I know by large comparison, our bad luck year has probably been nothing compared to a lot. And sometimes I feel bad about lamenting about it. But still, when someone's having "troubles" and feeling "buried", no matter how slight those problems are to others, they're still problems. Know what I mean? There were a few times this past year I had a hard time snapping out of the negativity. I guess in all the time me and Hubby have been together, we've never had to endure the number of obstacles as we have this past year.

Oh, don't get me wrong. Not all of it was bad. Me and Hubby celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary by taking a cruise back in June.

We had a lot of graduations in our family . . . Son No. 2 from high school, and my niece and nephew from college. Also, we were blessed with a new "member" of the family - Son No. 2's girlfriend.

She's been a sweetheart. Staying by Son when he was having a rough time this past year.

Son No. 1 started his third year of school at UNCC and has been doing very well. And Son No. 3 is growing so fast and becoming a fine, independent young man.

Oh, and I started this blog and found some really nice and sweet new cyber friends :o)!

All in all, I'm glad to see 2009 go. I just hope 2010 is a better start to a new decade. At least I'm going to try and "will" it to be so!!!

So, good riddance 2009 . . .

not gonna miss ya.

Looking forward a new start in Twenty-Ten!

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ENTERING SLIGHTLY FOREIGN TERRITORY

Well, I survived yesterday's workout. Thought it might be worse since it had been so long (two weeks is long for me!), but it was a good workout and I felt really good afterward. I love to sweat! eewww, gross, right?! For me, it's a cleansing feeling, and it lets me know I've really "done something".

I ventured out yesterday - first time since last Wednesday. I'll tell you, I could stay housebound for a long, long time. I love being home. If I didn't have to go to work a few days a week and to the grocery store, I would probably make it a good two weeks with never leaving my house.

Anyway, the main purpose for my excursion was to run to Lowes to get a fabric drop cloth. Nooo . . . not for a painting project, but for a furniture slipcover project - hence the title of this post.

I wouldn't say I'm a super-experienced seamstress.

I can quilt,

I've sewn all my window treatments,

I was into doll making for a while,

I've dabbled at some simple apparel projects,

recovered a window seat cushion,

sewn some throw pillows.

Geez, reading that list sounds like I may know what I'm doing . . . really, I don't. I've never tackled a real recover/slipcover project. The chair that's in DESPERATELY need of recovering has had it's upholstery slowly "disintegrating"

I'm almost embarrassed to show you!

See the lovely hole that's forming!

for quite a few years now. Which that in itself makes me angry. This was not a inexpensive piece of furniture. And I'm pretty sure when we picked out the chair and the fabric we wanted on it, we upgraded to a higher grade of tapestry. Guess that was not money well spent.

Plus, I changed the colors in the room a few years ago, and the chair has not matched at all. I've not wanted to toss it because it's super-comfy. It's a reclining chair-and-a-half. So it's nice and roomy for one, or a nice place for two to snuggle.

I've been pretty scared to tackle such a project, and honestly, the thought of spending all that money on fabric - I calculated 10 yards! - for a project that I may slub up a bit was hard. After seeing a few ladies, whose blogs I love, tackle some of their furniture pieces, and showing step-by-step pics, I thought for sure I could handle this!

I was very inspired by Traci at Beneath My Heart and how she used cotton drop cloth material to recover her chair. And, Shellagh at Ticking and Toile shows step-by-step a couple pieces she's recovered.

So, again, I've thrown it out there . . . a project I've been wanting/needing to do for, well, years now. Now I HAVE to finish it! If any of you have any tips/suggestions, or know any other blogs that featured slipcover projects that a beginner like myself could benefit from, please post the link.

Wish me luck! After I wash the fabric, I'm going to start tracing and cutting some of the pieces today. Here goes nothing . . .

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VISITING OLD FRIENDS TODAY

No. Not me. Wish I looked that good!

More of what I "feel" like! hehe

Hello, Sir. I have a very valid reason for not visiting with you these past two weeks. I've been neck deep in

Christmas preparations . . . decorating, crafting,

wrapping, cooking, baking, cocktailing . . .

EATING!!!

Time to reintroduce ourselves. Please be gentle with me. I've not moved these tired legs any faster than a quick grocery store run in two.long.weeks. Not to mention the extra strain they'll be suffering carrying that obligatory 7 to 10 pounds of Holiday weight gain. Oye . . . !

This is the "friend" that's just no fun. Just because you're built like a machine gives you no right to torture me so. But I can take it. Bring it on!

At least I can distract myself when interacting with "The Big Guy", up there, by watching my favorite shows while listening to my iPod.

These guys aren't much nicer. But at least I'm more in control of them instead of them controlling me.

Oh, and don't let his round cuteness and "bouncy" personality fool you. He's not any more cordial than the rest of the bunch.

So, today's the day. Back to the routine. Forty minutes of bonding time with "The Big Guy". A little weight play. Some stabilizer ball movements. And a core workout with Cathe (saved on my DVR from FitTV).

Maybe if I visit all you guys five times a week instead of the usual four times, I can rid myself of this newly acquired poundage . . . and maybe shed that blasted 10 pounds of leftover baby weight

aaah . . . my "baby's" eleven years old now!

So, what are you all doing to get yourself back into shape after The Holiday Binge?

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