Happy New Year!

The Las Vegas Strip explodes into a frenzy of fireworks, Fremont Street will experience virtual fireworks, and tens of thousands (okay, way more than that) of people will be gazing in awe and celebrating the new year in style in Las Vegas.  I live in Las Vegas, and I've never been one to join the crowds on the strip or downtown.  We normally enjoy the amazing display in the comfort of our own home.  This year, however we'll be in Wildomar, CA for a BBQ competition.

I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year, one full of good thoughts and good health...being thankful for what you have, helping others in need, and being the best person you can be.  May all our creative endeavors be successful. 

Silent Monks Singing Halleluia

I saw this on Facebook about a week ago....so creative. Love it.
E njoy and Merry Christmas.

Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas to all our blog friends and family! 

Wishing the best to each of you this most glorious of seasons. 

I pray for peace, stability, health, family, and friends.

The gift is in His presence...not the presents.

Twiddlebugz

Crystal, Timm and kids

Show and Tell Friday

A few of my favorite things to share with you.

fabric punkins

I love the candle trio on top and the big snowman head on the wall.  I didn't get individual photos of them.

Love this reindeer. 

You know I like the ice skates. 

Signs...what can I say.  Lettering is one of my things.

Cupboard doors (I just adore this one), and the bat 

Snowmen galore, these are on a cupboard door. 

I thought this was the coolest. Unusual, like the counter.  Get lots of remarks on both.

Broken Phones

I'm sorry, but I just need to vent a little.  The cell phone insurance company is on my list today.  I guess I need to go back to last week.  I had my phone replaced after it was run over at the last craft show.  It was all good at that point. I paid my deductable, filled my claim on line, my new phone came the next day, all was right again with the world.  I'm sad and embarassed to tell you that I dropped my newly replaced phone o Sunday and the touch screen is shattered.  I couldn't believe it. ARRRRGGGGG!  It seemed to be working so I thought I'll just buy a new outer casing for it...but no.  The yuppies at the Verizon store said they don't carry any parts to replace or repair.  I couldn't even buy the pre-cut screen protector to keep the pieces in place.  Well, now the new phone is not working correctly so I decided I had to suck it up, admit defeat and pay the deductable again to replace it.  They yuppies told me I could have two claims in a 12 month period...but apparently not a week apart(they didn't tell me that part).  I thought the computer froze the screen, so I called the insurance company.  I just need to let you know that they really don't want to speak with anyone.  In fact, the gal even hung up on me.  Unbelievable...well, not really.  I called back, went through the process to get to a real person again, asked to speak to a manager or supervisor...guess what, they aren't there today.  I ended up at another dept that I was told could do the same for me.  Still, they can't help me over the phone.  I must file special paperwork, it will be reviewed, then if found to be valid, my claim will be continued and a replacement phone will be sent.  Apparently phone fraud is a huge deal, and filing claims within 6 months of each other falls under that catagory.  It's not like the one I have now will do me any good.  It will get sent to the insurance company just like the first one, they will repair it and send it out again as a remanufactured phone to the next clumsy fool.  SIGH...okay I think I'm done now.  Oh, they faxed the papers to my hubby office, I hope he brings them home tonight.
Again, I am so sorry but I just needed to get that off my chest. 

Show and Tell Friday

My craft show season is over...thankfully.  It's been a long one this year.  Normally, I am done the week before Thanksgiving...now I remember why.  I am mentally and physically done and worn out by then. 

My last event was one I've shopped at and wanted to do for several years in St. George...the Dicken's Christmas Festival.  While I had a good time, it wasn't what I expected.  The atmosphere is amazing.  The booths are decorated, lit up, and prefered to be in a Dickens village theme.  Vendors must wear costumes that are reminiscent of the period.  That was something I really stressed over.  I thought I looked cute, don't know how Dickens...but cute anyway.   

One of the gals backed out at the last minute so I had an extra 5 feet to fill.  Stressing over the whole thing, I called my best friend Diane to take her stuff with me.  Thankfully, she abliged.  Timm took Tuesday off, drove me, my stuff, the truck and toyhauler (my accomodations for 5 days) there; help me set up, got the toyhauler set up in the parking lot; enjoyed a peaceful dinner and I sent him on his way back home...along with the dogs. 

The show was full of people, I mean really full of people.  One of the fullest crowds I'd seen all season. Sadly, they were there to watch their children perform on the two stages...not really there to shop.  I swear, people ran, yes...ran, past the booths to get to the stages.  It made the 4 eleven hour days longer than they already were...and yes, I said eleven hour days.  The other girls would drop me off at the RV, I'd lock myself inside, review the days sales, and go to bed.  I'd do it all over again the next day. 

Ironically, it was started almost 30 years ago because the founders thought Christmas was getting too commercial (even back then), yet probably 85%-90% of the booths were commercial product.  A crafter has the most difficult time competing with retail product.    

Thankfully, Diane came up Friday after work, finishing the day and Saturday with me.  Timm came up on Saturday evening, bringing Diane's son.  They helped us tear down, having guys to haul stuff out is really helpful.  We spent the night and came home Sunday morning. 

A quick review...one long day setting up, 4 longer days selling a mere fraction of what I should have, seeing more strollers in one place than I thought was possible, thankfully a fairly quick tear down, 5 nights in the toyhauler, and a lost (damaged and recovered 3 days later) cell phone, a peaceful ride home and a great nights sleep in my own bed Sunday eveing.