A Day In My Life

The " Great Big Huge" Mess is now CONTROLLED and a TUTU

well...atleast somewhat.  Sorry I haven't been back here, Ihave had a stomach flu to rival no other.  It truly put me in bed for Monday and Tuesday and then Wednesday I woke up with a sinus infection.  It is now Saturday and though I feel better, i don't feel great, and my poor Nate has a sore throat and cough!  UGH

BUT, Thursday and Friday I did work in the mess and I do feel good about where I have ended up.  Now, I took these pictures BEFORE I added back in the bins of things that still need to be gone through and put away or gotten rid of.  AND I am not showing you the big pile of boxes in the dining room of memorabilia from the last 20 years.  My plan is to whittle it down to HALF of what is there.  I can do it!

BUT, I do now have a working room.  It isn't perfect, it isn't magazine ready and I still need to work on it DAILY, but here goes...remember this is what it looked like at the beginning of January:

 
 
 and now I will take you around the room:

Mouse making, Fairy Jar creating and what not area:

 

Tools such as Sizzix machine, cricut, dies, punches, etc:

 
Sewing supplies (I have more, gotta decide how to "handle it"), cardstock etc:

 
My scrapbooking supplies...organized photos in boxes on the top and yes it bothers me that not all the boxes are blue and green! My small collection of MRS. FIELDS tins, cuz that is who I am!, My kitty on the now clean work table! and you can see a bag of fairy wings in the corner:

 
The iris cart wall...all those draws need to be cleaned out and purged!  One thing at a time. and my Fur Friends go their bed back by the window:

 
The last wall:
 
and a view looking in the door:

 
The stuff under the work table?  That is the bins of stuff that need to be gone through and taken care of or said good bye too!

I am not done yet, but I will tell you it was nice to have a space to make a mess yesterday while I made this:

 

It was a tutu I had from my dance studio days.  It was too stained to sell at OLD THINGS...soooo I stained it up some more.  Sewed it to a padded hanger that i tea stainned, addd some flowers and a tag and now it is a Primitive/Vintage?Shabby Chic wall hanging.  It could be hung in a nursery, on a little girls wall, in your house...you get the idea:)  It is now up on my Etsy at www.dancinglydenise.etsy.com.  I have a pink one and a blue one in the works today.  Not quite so primitive looking, but they are coming out beautiful! (I think).

Well folks, don't forget to check and see if you are the winner of the GiveAway...I will give her a week to respond, and then draw a new winner if I need to!

have a great Saturday and share with us how you organize your projects!

Dancingly, Denise

A Dancer and a Musician

I have the best of both worlds, and I just feel like saying that tonight!  When I was young, I was a musician...I played clarinet...a little trumpet...and I sang.  When I was young and still now...I am a dancer.  Both music and dance have been so important to me in my life, sometimes when I felt all alone...I had those to keep me company.  And still to this day they are important to me and they are a big part of this household.

There is my dancer:

 

and my musician:

 
 I truly have the best of both worlds...because what they talk about MAKES SENSE to me:)  I can count the measures for Nate while he is working on a solo...I can discuss the best dancers on a dance show with Lauren.  It is the greatest feeling to have this much in common with my kids!

I have the best...

Dancingly and Musically,

denise

SLOW DOWN!

Seems as though this past weekend went at warp speed and I have to say I am a tad bit cranky right now.  Nothing I won't get over, mostly just tired and feeling overwhelmed by the business of the season and the crunched feeling of never enough money.

BUT I digress... I was talking about this weekend.  First Friday night I went out with some of my scrapbook peeps to celebrate the holidays.  We went to Kosta's in Brewer...good food, great company and we made beautiful cards for each other:

 

Saturday morning I had to get up very early and had to a craft fair. It went VERY well!

 

Saturday night we had a great treat.  My son. Nate, is in a band and they played at Battle of the bands...We were so impressed by how much talent these guys have...and dang it my son can really play the guitar!

 
 
 

And then last night we FINALLY decorate the Christmas tree!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yesterday (Monday) we had tons of snow! And today I made tons of tutu's! See more about them at www.dancinglydenise.typepad.com/mepursenalities

 

So, you see why I might feel a tad bit tired:)  I am headed to relax on the couch and watch the Biggest Loser!

Goodnight All

Dancingly, denise

Halloween

I know, I know this is really not a timely blog post.  I have been so busy with choreographing the high school musical, preparing for Silkweed's open house and all the craft fairs.  BUT I wanted to share our Halloween!

It has always been a tradition of ours to dress up for Halloween and go to family and friends houses.  We always got pictures of the kids with each of their grandparents, and their babysitters.  This was up until 2008. So for 16 years we have done this and yes, we have 16 years worth of pictures,  This is so cool cuz it shows the progression of Lauren and Nate growing up.

In 2008 we had dad's memorial service on Halloween and felt as though that was the end of our tradition.  The following year, 2009, I found myself home all alone on Halloween.  lauren and Scott working and Nate off with a friend.  lauren and I texted some that night, and she said "Mum, next year you wont be alone".

This year she suggested we go visiting.  So, we didn't dress up, we didn't get candy, BUT we got to visit with a few special people...AND we took pictures.  I know our tradition has to change and it will be different and more different as the years go on, but for this year it was special!

First stop Bobo's (my step mom)

 

Next stop Grammie's (Ruth)

 
 and then off to Harriet's Lauren's babysitter since she was 3 months old:

 

We weren't able to stop and see nate's babysitters Gail and Ken, as ken was in the hospital:(

So we stopped at McDonald's for supper and then off to visit Mammie (my mom:)

 

We had a really nice evening and e were back home in time to get a good night sleep before school the next day!

I'll be back with pictures from the musical soon.

I have added lots of items in my etsy shop at www.dancinglydenise.etsy.com

and a new blog entry about my mice on my business blog www.dancinglydenise.typepad.com/mepursenalities

Dancingly, denise

Tutu TOO cute!

I have thought about this for quite awhile and decided that I really needed to add some children's items to both my Etsy www.dancinglydenise.etsy.commy craft shows and My blog at www.dancinglingdenise.typepad.com/mepursenalities  sales.  In the past I had a lot of dress up clothes and I just feel it is time to begin again and I am going with my "hunch".

So...here is a cute little tutu size 3t-4t 18 inch waist with a pair of wings!  I have added this to my etsy shop www.dancinglydenise.typepad.com and I am here to tell you that i can make these in any size and just about any color scheme.  The set is 25.00 with added shipping unless you are in my area.  the wings are NOT handmade...but the tutu is and it is one of my new favorite things to make!  Want a special color combo or size?  Just email me at magicalmemories2@aol.com

I also will be showing you some of the costumes I have available at OLD THINGS right now...most are handmade...some are not...but hey, it is Halloween time...time for costumes...and Christmas...time for dress-up treats...or how about a photo op???

Have a great day!

ARTfully

Denise

It's time for a MUSICAL!

That's right folks, it is time to dive into the drama clubs musical for the year!  Last night we had our first set of auditions, and tonight will be our last set of auditions.  What are we doing you might ask?

Well five weeks ago I heard we were doing CATS

NOPE...four weeks ago I heard we weren't doing a musical at all cuz Peter (the director) would be away

NOPE

THREE weeks ago I heard we might do NUNSENSE

NOPE then last week we thought we might do CHICAGO

 and then this weekend we read the script for CHICAGO...sigh...much to much for the audiences we  have, especially because we get alot of young kids and older adults.  Too much...it is a great musical...awesome music and choreography, but the story line just isn't going to work...soooo Sunday Peter, Mark and I spend HOURS trying to decide what to do...we finally chose a newer musical, but after ready the script and listening to the music...i think it is going to be fun!  We are doing:

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!

so Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!  Woohoo!  As you know, this musical stuff sort of takes over my life for a bit during the next 8 weeks.  So hold on while I jump in...between this and the need to build my business life will be a tad bit CRAZY!

Dancingly,Denise

OLD THINGS

AS many of you know, I have TWO booths over at OLD THINGS...and antique mall in Orland.  3 floors of absolute awesomeness is how I describe it.  I have one booth full of mish mash, and one booth I call the COSTUME CUBBY and TOYBOX. In my other life, I was a dance teacher, choreographer, and dance studio owner.  For 15 years I lived my dream and then it kind of crashed with the Fibromyalgia diagnosis. That was 10 years ago and I have held on the all the costumes, music, studio decor, etc...so that is what is in the Costume booth, as well as every toy my kids ever had growing up that they no longer feel any connection with...pretty dresses i made Lauren are there too.  Oh don't worry...being the pack rat that i am I have saved all kinds of things...BUT I am cleaning the three bay garage out...I need to show you pictures of that too...but it is so embarrassing and SCARY!

ANYWAY... I have been lucky to be able to use the store front window two months in a row and so today I needed to go change it out for the second month.  THIS is what it looked like for July:

Sorry about the glare.  It was a ballerinas dream come true!  I did sell more costumes this month then anything else.  People are buying them for the little girls in their lives to create dress up boxes, etc.  I have all kinds of accessories like hats and such too.

So this month...Sharmaine asked if I would make it sort of "old fashioned"(she LOVED the ballerina window, but after a month wanted to change it out so my costumes wouldn't fade)...that was tough cuz my costumes don't necessarily go that way.  BUT I had all these costumes from the Opening Party scene of the Nutcracker and they look like Old Fashioned party dresses...so I created an Old Fashioned Tea party/Wedding (the little bunnies are married:)  It took me alot longer today then I expected, and my poor foot was so swollen...but the final scene was well worth it.  I hope it brings in more sales this month...here it is...

These are just a few of the old fashioned dresses I have...different sizes from child to adult.

 while I was putting the window together a couple from Arizona came in and purchased one of the dance prints I had hanging in the window for the "ballerina window"  it was a 50.00 print (all framed) and I had 25.00 on it...hey that is half my rent for one of the booths for the month!  YAHOO!

A close up of two teddies enjoying their picnic...the glass greenware is gorgeous...but I have had to let go of some of it (not enough room)...I have a beautiful collection that my Aunt Ann has given me over the years.  Look at the little paper napkins with rings on them for the bears:

 

 
and here are the guest of honor:

Everything is for sale (by the way.

Here is another guest:

 Hey, guess what!  i sold two of the purses I showed you yesterday and I didn't even have time to put them on ETSY!  I sold this one:

and the little green one in this picture that i didn't show you a close up of yet (it needs a button):

I do sell them a bit cheaper if you catch me BEFORE I put them up on Etsy...once they are up there I have Etsy fees, Paypal fees...before they go up I can take a check...wait till it clears and get it sent out to you...(I can also take Paypal).

I am still excited about the www.ultimateblogchallenge.com

I am posting on my business blog too over at:  http://dancinglydenise.typepad.com/maine_pursenalitiesand_mo/

Enjoy The beautiful day!

Dancingly Denise
 
 
 

In My Daughter's Eyes...

In my daughter's eyes, I am a hero.
I am strong an' wise,
And I know no fear.
But the truth is plain to see:
She was sent to rescue me,
I see who I wanna be, in my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes, everyone is equal,
Darkness turns to light,
And the world is at peace.
This miracle God gave to me,
Gives me strength when I am weak.
I find reason to believe, in my daughter's eyes.

An' when she wraps her hand around my finger,
Oh, it puts a smile in my heart.
Everything becomes a little clearer.
I realise what life is all about.
It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough;
It's givin' more when you feel like givin' up.
I've seen the light: it's in my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes, I can see the future.
A reflection of who I am,
An' what will be.
An' though she'll grow an', some day, leave:
Maybe raise a family,
When I'm gone, I hope you'll see,
How happy she made me,
For I'll be there, in my daughter's eyes.
Martina McBride

 

I have always loved this song...as I drove along today it came on the radio and I found myself pulling over so I could have a good cry!  My baby girl is graduating from High School next week.  She is the Salutetarian and therefore had to write and will be reading a speech.  I don't wat to give away what she will be speaking of, but needless to say, when I read the speech last night I was brought to tears.  I find myself close to tears all the time lately.  I am so proud of this young woman.  Since 7th grade I have never had to ask her if she has any homework...or if she has all her work done. She decided her path back then, and her path was to excell at all that she does.  She has decided to go on to Cosmetology school in September, and has applied to and been accepted to two colleges...as a back-up plan.  She has stuck to her beliefs about herself and where she wants to go in life, even when others have questioned her.  SHE makes me want to be a better person.  She isn't perfect, and we clash quite often (cuz I'm not perfect either).  SHE rescued me 16 years ago when I lost our baby, and depression set in, she reminded me everyday that SHE was still around and needed me.  SHE was my reason for getting out of bed...she was only 2 years old.  My children are my hope and my miracles, thank GOD for them.

Love, Mom

Crazy Busy...and SICK...

I know I have been missing in action...I would like to think I will do better as this year comes to an end...but no promises!  I have bronchitis...feel generally lousy and am way to busy (like most people)...

I want to forewarn you this entry is heavy on pictures...so hang on and enjoy!

First, two weekends ago Mom joined Lauren and i for lauren's Nutcracker performance in Berlin, NH.  Mom and I had a relaxing ride down (Lauren was on the bus)...BUT the ride back was horrid!  First real storm of the year and boy were we caught in it.  Did I ever mention I don't drive in snow?  Mom suggested we get a room and spend the night, but I thought we should at least try it.  I was soooo glad when we arrived home 5.5 hours later and so was Lauren and Mom.  We took a couple of pictures after the show, Lauren came out in her Chinese costume:

She loves me:)

Nate's school pictures arrived...WE KNOW he needs a haircut, but he likes it that way and i TRY to pick my battles:)

This past Friday night I had my annual swap with my scrapbooking buddies...we did a CANDY swap this year...yummy!:

We always create some type of a book to put our recipes in each year.  This year Karen did it and absolutely outdid herself...it is using the Winter Woodland cricut cartridge and is shaped like a house...but alas, you will have to wait awhile for a picture of it:)  But here we are at the end of the party...belly's full...having had a chance to be creative...and we had candy to take home with us:

This past weekend brought us another whirlwind FIVE performances of the Nutcracker...AND Lauren's 18th birthday.  Though we are waiting to celebrate after the holidays...we did squeeze in a little celebrating on her day:)

Joey and his grandparents joined us, after the afternoon show, to have dinner and some birthday cake:

And after every weekend of Nutcracker i give Lauren a little something that is Nutcracker/dance related.  This is instead of flowers cuz our cats EAT the flowers:)  I made her a Fairy Jar...it is a picture of her when she is little and it is called "Maine's Sugar plum Fairy":

And then Sunday Grammie, Nate and Scott all came to Lauren's performance: (sorry about the red eyes...I will have to fix them later:)

And after the Nutcracker Scott and Nate scooted back for Nate's football banquet while Ruth and I stayed behind, waited for Lauren and went and had some dinner.  See what i mean about BUSY?  No pictures of the banquet as the camera battery went dead as Scott started to take some:(

BUT here is a nice picture of Nate...Dad and Bonnie gave him this Ukalele from Hawaii (over a year ago now) and he has been playing it non stop lately...sounds good too!

And in between all this I did get all fifteen special order fairy jars done!  i can't show most of them though as they are gifts for people that might read my blog...so after the holidays!
So folks...I need to go bake a cake and clean up around here as we celebrate tonight...

Take Care

Live, Love and Laugh

Denise 

On BLOG writing...

Every time I pick up a new issue of Artful Blogging

I take time out to think about WHY I write a blog.  AND what I can do differently.  Right now I feel like I am on the waves of something new and exciting...I feel more creative than I have in years...and I am more excited about it than I can express.  But with that comes questions, concerns, thoughts...and THAT my folks is why I write a blog.  My feeling is that if I am going THROUGH or AROUND something than others out there are too.  In my blog writing I have found so many new people...and so many people who I have known forever.  They don't always comment, they don't always read...but they are there.  Some people are too shy to comment on my blog so they email me privately to say they understand...OR they DO NOT understand:)  I don't share the negative in my life very often...YUP folks...the Field's Family house is not always a happy one...we come with our share of problems...some are BIG and painful and frustrating...some are small and generally work themselves out.  I do tend to share the smaller ones...and of course one of the big ones MY addiction to food.  I do nOT share the ones that directly affect others in my house...that is for them to share with who they need to share with.

So, I TRY to keep my blogging upbeat and positive.  I like to share with you what my kids are doing.  In the past I have shown you my before and after ways out of clutter and folks, let me tell you THAT is an uphill battle.  My friend Judy said at the beginning of this year NO MORE PICTURES OF YOUR MESSY DINING ROOM TABLE!  She will have to close her eyes, because it is truly time to cycle through the decluttering again!

Recently I have share a great deal of my art work and what is going on creatively with me...I believe that will continue, but in the meantime my blog is to document the ups and downs of that.

AND that brings me to a great point about blogging...it is a record of what I hold dear to me...MY LIFE:)  I can look back and see what I was doing this time last year...and the year before.  I LOVE that.

And then there are days I don't blog.  On those days, life seems to mundane to share with everyone OR life is so crazy I dare not share.

So, why do I blog?  For so many reasons...the biggest is the connection with the outside world(cyber space and beyond) and the connection with my inside world (family and friends).  You will see some changes coming in my blog...nothing HUGE, mostly design changes.  AND many of you have discovered I have a second blog at 

Maine PURSEnalities(and more) ...there I will be sharing my art and work that is for sale.

So with that...here are some pictures of the weekend... Some skates i worked on and are up for sale:

and some primitive dresses that are in both SILKWEEDS (Searsport) and Re-Imagined (Houlton)  and on my other blog for sale:

and of course a couple of shots from the NUTCRACKER...we were in Caribou this weekend:

I love this next picture I believe Lauren is thinking of Nate not getting up and going in the morning (he makes her late) as she is playing this role:

Well folks...I am off to start another adventure...actually that sound exciting...what I am off to do is clean the tornado hit dining room so we can decorate the tree tomorrow:)

Have a great day...

Dancingly, Denise