Why do I always think I can "do it myself" no matter what it is? Poor Twinkle is the latest example.
I cut her hair today. She looks awful. I doubt if there are two hairs on her entire body that are the same length.
The other day I dug a thorn out of my husband’s knee with an exacto blade craft knife. His knee didn’t look much better than Twinkle’s hair style.
A few weeks ago, when Ry’s truck broke down, and he was late to work, I figured I would handle it myself after dropping him off at his job. I had a big old four wheel drive truck and a rope, I’d just haul it home instead of calling a tow truck.
Well, I had some trouble trying to figure out how to hook the rope under the truck, I knew that it had to be hooked to the frame, but how can you tell what is frame and what is just random truck parts? So I called my brother-in-law for advice, and he was there within minutes, telling me that you cannot pull a vehicle alone, you need someone in the pulled vehicle to steer and brake. I had been worrying a bit about the hill on the way home. Being a do-it-yourselfer leads me into trouble sometimes.
I’ve been known to try to carry a large dresser up the stairs alone and get stuck halfway with it balanced on my shoulders yelling for help.
Its a rare thing for me to think a task through before starting in on it, I just always figure I can do it.
So, I am extremely proud and surprised at myself for not trying to do a birthday party here at the cottage for my 50th on May 5th. (the same week of a major flea market I HAVE to go to, and an art show I am a part of) I am having it at a restaurant!! That is not like me at all. Letting professionals handle something I could DO MYSELF??!! never!!
Last year, we had my 49th here, and invited 60 some people, and I cooked goodies for it, cleaned, fixed up the yard, etc, etc.
Maybe at 50, I am grown up enough to let someone else take over a job? Or am I just tired???
For now, I will stick to making tags for our swap, and getting ready for my art show (the day before the party).
This tag is made with the downloads for the swap from Vintage Workshop, that I edited to be in sepia tone. Then- I used some pastels to add color and glued dark pink roses from an old greeting card onto it for another splash of color.
For our swap, we have 3 collections to use from Vintage Workshop, and I think you can see from my last few posts that you can do a lot of different things using the same images. I am excited to see what all the other artists come up with.
Adding other elements, like the greeting card roses, and the pastels, or ribbons and jewels adds variety too.
Besides butchering Twinkle’s fur and making what seemed like a thousand more tags today, I doctored up this old photo with paints and pastels, then added ribbons, old wallpaper, and flowers to it. I plan on sending it to Pam.
Her sis is ill, and there is a fund raiser coming up. Pam is needing handmade items to fill a basket for the raffle.
I want to send three things, a gift for Pam, something for her sis and something for the raffle. This is my first item, tomorrow I will make some more things for the box I am sending.
More items are needed, and if you would like Pam’s address to send her something, let me know. 
I know how generous you all are!
Cards for my great aunt’s 100th birthday are pouring in!
Colleen Cavanaugh sent these two pretty pinky ones, and they showed up wrapped so lovely, along with an Eiffel Tower card for me too!
Three more came from Heidi Woodruff, Phyllis Covington, and Pam Warden. (blog addresses available on my previous post)
See what I mean about generous? Pam has health issues herself as well as ill family members, and she took time to make a card for my aunt!
OK, it is 2am and I need to get to bed, but first a little Earth Day reminder to be kind to the planet! Today is Earth Day, well, actually, I am up so late that yesterday was Earth Day.
I went to a fashion show tonight where vintage and recycled clothing were the highlights on the stage.
I try to redo and reuse as much as I can, personally,with antiques, furniture and art supplies, but I never thought of remaking clothes from old prom dresses and men’s ties like this gown. Hmm, I think I could do this myself…..
Hi Karla,
I love what you did; printing in sepia-tone, but I will stick to the pastels, as sepia and brownish and greyish colors are so common here for wallpaper, I’m so happy to work with these candy pastel colors now! Btw those beautiful millinery flowers and that ribbon, you have sent me, looks so good with the ‘wallpaper’. But as you said it’s just amazing to see what different things you can do. I cannot wait to see what everybody comes up with too.
If I have time (this sounds not nice, but it’s just the truth). I’ll send you something selfmade for Pam together with your aunts card. My problem is most of the time that I just cannot say no to these requests but I’m aware that that’s only a slight problem compared to the ones other people have.
Have a nice Sunday!
Never mind Twinkles hair will grow back before you know it.
Alison
We all have to watch out for the “do it myself” trait. I’ve certainly found myself in a few self-inflicted predicaments. Thank goodness we usually find a way out.
I’m working on my card for Aunt Caroline today. I love the name Caroline – it has always been one of my favorites.
Okay, I have to agree that poor Twinkles new “do” is a bit sad, but it will be back to normal soon. I used to have a pocket poodle, Murphy Brown, and she ended up looked exactly like Twinkles thanks to me on more than one occasion.
I think Twinkles looks adorabel! I chop up my dogs hair all the time and she ends up looking like a fat rolly polly. We laugh so hard at her until our sides hurt! I’m a big time do it yourself-r too! Then I get knee deep in something and wonder…”why did I START this?” THere are times to let the professionals take care of things…and cooking and cleaning etc for your own Birthday is no fun! Glad you are going out and enjoying it somewhere else!
I think Twinkle looks rather cute actually!
p.s. Damn, you look good for (almost) 50 girl! 🙂
Joy
I think you are a strong, independent woman who wants to get the job done and digs right in to do it! I admire you for that! Sometimes, though we do need a little help (as in the truck towing incident!) However, I think the dog is adorable…. and as I always tell Deja after I’ve cut her hair “it will grow back!” You rock!
Your dogs are darling- remember, dog hair is just like paint, it will grow back (or you can paint over it)
Rich let you dig a thorn out of his knee with an exacto knife???? Was he unconscious? I just thought he was smarter than that!
Hard to tell the difference between the frame and what is just “random truck parts”?- I’ll have to tell the guys at work about that! I’ve never see “random truck parts” as a line item on any invoice I’ve paid!
Oh – the tags are great too!
You are so funny! I have that problem too, although maybe not to the extent you do! It is just because your heart is in the right place! What fun tags!
Karla, your post gave me such a laugh. I tried doing that dog haircut thing one time, too. The poor thing looked like she’d been to a chop shop! I’m excited about the swap–which will be my first one as well as my first foray into collage. Thanks for posting such helpful examples and tips. I’ve checked out the Vintage Workshop images and they will be fun to play with.
I hear you! It’s really hard for me to say “no” to craft idea’s and projects. But when I do say I can’t do it, I feel a great relief! I love all your mail goodies!
btw, you’ve been tagged on my blog!
Ooo that would have been awful if you’d tried to tow that truck! Be careful! I don’t want you to hurt your blogging finger…we’d all miss you so 🙂
Your tags are so beautiful…I’m really looking forward to this swap! And I started on your aunts card today – should be to you soon!
That really doesn’t surprise me Karla! You seem to be able to do anything! I am not so lucky. I have realized this week that I can’t do some things by myself too and finally asked for help. I am actually feeling good about the possibility of loving being creative again. I look at you and want that joy that comes so easily to you. I am looking forward to your big birthday and I’m trying to figure out what I can do for you (a gift certificate to the dog groomer suddenly comes to mind!!). You shouldn’t be preparing for your own birthday anyways… let someone else handle the work and just enjoy being served that day!!! Love you!
Karla, I know what you mean about do it yourselfers. I too am one. I didn’t start out that way, but through the years (I’m 46), and with a farmer/rancher husband with not a lot of extra time, I always decide to go for it and get it done myself! Not sure if I could have done the thorn removal! Twinks still thinks she’s pretty and she feels better too! Some things a person just can’t wait for…like scheduling appointments, taking the dog to the appointment, and lets not forget the bill that goes with it! All your swap pic ideas are great. I can’t wait to start, but unfortunately the laundry can’t do itself, so maybe at the end of this week! Thanks for the wallpaper! It’ll be great for projects.
Tags do seem to be addictive don’t they? 🙂