bonsai!

The gift that grows....very slowly.



I was lucky to find this beautiful Japanese Jade Bonsai tree from Brussel's Bonsai in Olive Branch, MS.



The trunk is short and sturdy and the leaves are thick and very healthy.



My husband has shown a keen interest in bonsai, and this Jade will be a 'forever' gift for him--- a gift that you keep forever! We'll tend it and enjoy for a long long time.



(I really hope that my cats don't eat it)

snowball fight!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

The 2008 FEEDBACK PARTY

>>and sale<<



Mike Burnes is inviting YOU to a Feedback Party in the shop...

*BOGO on music CDs for the Saturday Night Sale on ETSY*

8 CD titles to choose from





































Mike is hosting this house party to show his love for his fans on ETSY. These CDs can reach a wide range of listeners:

Blues, Pop, Love Songs, Southern Rock, and Children's Songs!

When you buy one CD, just list the title you've selected for your FREE CD in the message to seller. Mike will send along the 2nd CD to thank you for joining in the Feedback Party of 2008.

We know you want to sample the music first, so visit myspace just long enough to give us a listen...then zoom back over to ETSY because this SNS party is on until midnight:)

Mike has built a solid fan base from his ETSY customers!
Check out the recent FEEDBACK:


-EVERYONE SHOULD BUY THIS CD IF YOU LOVE ROCK,COUNTRY,BLUES,OR JUST A GREAT TUNE

-This CD came so fast I couldn't believe it. I listened to it for two hours on the way to take my ACT test and it put me in a good mood. My favorite song is the first one, Melia.

-Smooth, mellow tunes. Like the guitar music alot!

-Excellent in every respect. Mike has amazing talent, I love his voice, the music & lyrics.

Old School art sign

A special order came through for a custom art sign as a gift. A family in Georgia wanted to honor their parents new lake home...and have a bit of fun:)






A kind of Thunderbird/Deftones style lettering does the trick with some subtle humor. They wanted a flashy sign for "El Trailor" to fit with the 1969 single wide fixer-upper. It'll be mounted above their entry door in their new home.




While I was working on the sign, the parents asked about if they might know of someone that can make them a woodburned sign! LOL well, they got one now and I sure hope they like it.

To Ann and Donnie from all your favoritest people ever.

merry and bright

Christmas Cabin

My family is traveling over to Gatlinburg to spend Christmas in a cozy cabin! We'll have alot of time to explore The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and to go shopping.

The cabin is very quiet and has a nice view. We get alot of use out of the hot tub, and most evenings are spent watching TV or doing jigsaw puzzles.

I'll get back to blogging when I return!

party in the blog, y'all

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Attention All Indie Music fans

This just in...

some hot, fresh, new recordings from my brother Mike!

"Wing and a Prayer" is one of his most successful albums --- with genuine Southern Rock anthems and ballads. Mike's songwriting is solid on these tracks, and these new recordings are a significant improvement.

Got all the new recordings loaded up to myspace; ready for sampling and download. And you can get your CD at MadeItMyself!

Now we can put together a cool music promotion...maybe a giveaway or contest? Post your ideas.

what did you call me??!

That's right! Officially, I'm known as a "pyrographer" py·rog'ra·pher (n.)

one who practices "pyrography" which is writing with fire.

...but pyrographer is a strange and clumsy word that's hard to pronounce and it sounds too much like "photographer" for the gentile conversator.

So, unless I'm talking to a fellow pyro or trying to impress a judge, then I'll probably just tell folks I'm a woodburner. It's requires alot less explaination, and I'm pretty sure I can pronounce woodburner without sounding like an idiot:)



If I'm feeling frisky and coy and someone asks me what I do...I'll use the old vernacular name and tell 'em I do pokerwork! and that makes me a poker? or is it a pokerer? LOL

books is good

Here's an update on some crime novels I've read recently:

I also have several new books waiting for me to break the seams, and several older books on loan from a friend (Hi, Honey Bean!) that will keep me reading for months.!

I've just started on Mariah Stewart's "Forgotten"

and next is Heather Graham's "Deadly Gift"

after reading Play Dead, I;m looking for more Frasier....

As you can tell, I love whodunits!

some books is more better than others:)

pa rum pum pum pum

Me and my drum

Burning Questions Part I

Edge of the Wildwood presents

the FAQ on woodburning:

What tools are needed for basic woodburning?

• a heated pen with interchangable tips


• sandpaper


• tracing paper or carbon paper


• wood stains and finishing material

hot tip: use a small fan to blow the smoke away from your face

Can I burn any wood or paper?

yes! as long it's not plywood (because the glue emits harmful fumes) I've had great success burning exotic woods and even gourds and monkey pod. Most woodburners prefer basswood or other soft woods with light grains. When burning paper, the thicker the better.

hot tip: start with a small piece

Which designs can I use?

There are hundreds and hundreds of clip art designs that are permission free and copyright free. I recommend DOVER publications for a complete source of artwork. You cannot use another artist's designs without their permission.

hot tip: electronic clip art allows for resizing

How does the artwork get onto the wood?

• draw it freehand using a pencil
• trace it from printed artwork using tracing paper and carbon
• transfer the image from a color laser printer

tip: a wide flat tip is used to transfer, much like an iron






Where do I start with the hot tool?

Burn the simple lines that make up the outline, then fill in the details. I like to work the outer portion first (if it has a border) and burn my way to the center.

hot tip: leave the shading for last

Part II of Burning Questions will cover

How can I avoid making mistakes and overburning?

Why does my lettering look so strange?

Will this take forever?

It's burned...now what?



If you didn't notice the tabby cat perched on my workbench photo---roll back up there and give Mimi a smile!

You may have some 'burning' questions, too! Post a comment and get a quick, hot answer:)

whats so great about that?

Check out this post "what's so great about handmade fuzion?" from November in Glasstastic blog about the finer points of Handmade FuZion! And it includes a short and sweet video.

HF is moving fast and developing a huge network; I especially like HF Daily Picks



You like handmade? ...me too!

Beef Stew

It's hearty and it's hot...BEEF STEW!

Best when served with cornbread


BEEF STEW

1 lb. beef chuck
2 c chicken broth
all purpose flour
1/4 c cooking oil
2 tsp kitchen bouquet
cubed potatoes - raw
cubed carrots - raw
1/2 white onion

Cut beef into bite sized pieces and coat the beef in flour.
Brown the beef in a stock pot on medium heat with oil and onions.
add enough flour to absorb remaining oil and add all other ingredients.
Simmer on low heat for one hour.

yum!

Gourd artist Sheryle Bruno

While visiting Gainesboro, TN I found some beautiful store displays that featured the gourd creations of Sheryle Bruno!

Like this traveling rabbit with a green topcoat and chimney hat

and this Halloween cat in a party hat

and I recently saw a special episode on Tennessee Crossroads that features the gourd lady!

Episode 2118-3

Her amazing work is found only at Pappy's Picket Fence Antique Store.

Joggin' in a Jug - new recipe!

JOGGING IN A JUG

32 OZ. APPLE JUICE

16 OZ. WHITE GRAPE JUICE

4 OZ. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

MIX WELL, REFRIGERATE,

DRINK 2 TO 4 OZS. DAILY FOR ARTHRITIS

Submitted by my Aunt Judy in Baker, Florida

(she's the stately beauty on the right)