CHRISTMAS IS ON IT'S WAY

CHRISTMAS IS ON IT'S WAY!!!! 

WOOHOO!! SANTA WILL SOON BE HERE

BY THE WAY SANTA IS WATCHING ALL OF US TO SEE WHO'S BEEN NAUGHTY OR NICE!!!!

 OH YEAH!!!  THIS IS TRUE!!! SANTA TOLD ME SO THE OTHER DAY!  SANTA KNOWS I'VE BEEN A GOOD GIRL!! :-)


CANDY CANE HUGS & KISSES
Fran who is trying her best to be a good girl!!!!!  I confess, I am bad sometimes BUT MOST OF THE TIME I'M A REAL GOOD GIRL!!! :-)

Going to our grandson Mason's Birthday Party tonight (had to cancel it because of all the ice we got here in Texas) and it's also his other Grandma's (Judy) Birthday.  Lots of Fun with our Family here in Texas.  Birthday Day Cake and Ice Cream  YUMMY YUMMY!!!
HUGS,
Fran

COLD

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!! 

 EVERYONE KEEP WARM!!!

 

BIG WARM HUGS FOR ALL!!!

FRAN

CREATING - ETC ETC

Hi Everyone,
Sorry I have not been posting on my blog lately.  Seems life gets in the way from time to time and stops me from posting and creating. I have been on Facebook some but not a lot.  Have to get back to everything.  :-)

I do have several new dolls started (they have been started for sometime now; just waiting to be finished).  My Studios are turned upside down.  What a mess I made.  Now it's time to get back to doing what I LOVE....CREATING DOLLS & ART. 

I wanted to let all know that I have not dropped off the face of the earth.  I have just been busy with family, etc etc etc.  The death of my brother Frank really made me so sad and not want to do lots of things I used to do.  I know he wouldn't want me to just stop doing the things I love to do.  Life does go on and I am going back to Creating Dolls, Etc.  Frank will be in my heart forever.

Everyone Do What Makes You Happy!! Life Is Too Short!!

I HAVE LOTS OF CREATING TO DO.

We have our Christmas Tree up and I have it decorated.  The train sets are under the tree and sitting around in the living room waiting for my hubby to finish setting them up.  Suppose to finish sitting them up tonight. 

Got a new cat.  Her name is Maggie Mae.  She's a Tabby and she's wasn't too sure of us for awhile.  She wanted to bite us.  We adopted her from Pet Smart (which the cats came from the local shelter).  She has warmed up to us and is a good kitty now.  Not sure about her back ground of where she came from and how she was treated.  She's a cutie!  She took over the middle bottom of my computer armoire. She has her blanket in there and she loves it.  She has the run of the house. 

Just wanted to let all know I'm still around and you will be hearing from me a lot more now.
Life Is Good!!

LUV & HUZS,
FRAN

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERY BODY!!!!!!

WATCH OUT FOR ALL THE SPOOKY GOULS, WITCHES,GHOST AND OTHER SPOOKY CREATURES WALKING AND FLYING AROUND THIS EVENING.  SURELY ONE WILL GRAB YOU!!!!  

HAVE LOTS OF FUN AND EAT LOTS OF CANDY!!! :-)
FRAN WHO IS GOING TO A HALLOWEEN PARTY TONITE !!!!!!!!!!!

HAVE A FUN & SAFE HALLOWEEN,
FRAN

MAUI & ETC.....

MAUI & ETC.....

 

 

Just got home  from our full week (not counting the 2 days of traveling to and from the Island) vacation in Maui.  We had lots and lots of fun.  What a beautiful island.  The flight was 8hrs to and from Maui. BUT IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! 

 

It's good to be home.  Now back to my creating.  I think this vacation was just what I needed to get my muse flowing again.  Already started on a new doll.  :-)  

 

We took lots of pictures.  My hubby will be downloading them soon and I will add some pics of our trip soon. 

 

Love & Hugs

Fran

My Brother, Etc

My brother Frank passed away on Aug. 13th at Grayson Manor.  He died from Prion Protein which is very rare with no cure.  He lived in Leitchfield, Ky with his wife and 2 children.  Leitchfield is my home town.  I live in Texas. My husband Ken and I went to Ky for my brother's funeral.  We just returned home a couple of days ago. 

I wanted to post to let everyone know why I have not been on the computer lately.  I will be back posting in awhile.  For now I need some down time.  I will start designing and creating dolls again soon.  I have been away from home since I taught at All Dolls Are Art in late July.  Just returned home 2 days ago.  We did some traveling to PA, DEL and LAS VEGAS.   I got the phone call about my brother passing away the night before I was returning home from Vegas.  My husband and I got on a plane the next day after I returned home for Kentucky.  I spoke with my sister in law Patty twice a day while my brother was in Grayson Manor.  I got to talk to him also but he could not speak good and then he couldn't speak at all.  He is in a better place with God. 

Luv & Hugs
Fran

TEACHING

I will be leaving for Austin, TX tomorrow.  Going to be teaching at All Dolls Are Art Conference.
Looking forward to the conference as always.  It's a great fun conference.  The hotel even has a Starbucks in it. LOL LOL!!!

I still have a lot of packing to do.  Just wanted to let everyone know I won't be online while I'm away.
Got to run out and buy a few things I need before I leave.  I'm sure there will be something or things I will forget. LOL LOL!!  Got lots on my mind these days.  Just talked to my sister in law as I do everyday.  My brother is doing the same. She talks to him all the time in hopes he knows it's her
talking to him.  She spends most of her days there with him.  She puts the phone to his ear so I can say hello and love him.  We will stay in touch with each other while I'm away.  I will call her between or after my class each day while at the conference.  She won't call me while I'm at the conference unless something happens to my brother.  I'm praying that she doesn't call me because if I get a call from her I will know it won't be good.  Sending lots of prayers and thoughts for my brother.
I pray he gets his Miracle he needs. My heart is breaking that this has happened to him and nothing any doctor can do.  I know God and the Angels are watching over him.  Still praying for a Miracle for him.

Will post all about the conference when I get back home. 

Everyone have a creative week.
Hugs,
Fran

MY BROTHER, ETC

WHY I'M SO QUITE LATELY

My brother Frank is in bad shape with Prion Protien. He is decling more everday.  He was in UK Lexington, KY hospital. They have done all they can do. Prion can not be cured. He is decling fast.  He is in Grayson Manor in Leitchfield, KY our home town.  They are taking really good care of him. He's not in any pain.  I don't live in KY so I have not seen him since this happened. I have and do talk to him on the phone. His wife Patty put the phone to his ear and told him it's your sister Frances. She told him to say Hi.  He did but it was very very weak. I did talk to him and told him I love him.  I've been on the phone everyday since this has happened.  The doctors said, 1-2 people out of 6 million get Prion. No known cure for it.  It is a fast death the doctors say. He's not in any pain. He sleeps a lot and they are putting a feeding tube in his stomach today. Praying for a Miracle for him. Miracle is what it's going to take to pull him out of this.

This is why I'm not on too much lately.  I jump on facebook to read what my niece post about him.  I call everyday and Patty calls me everyday. Spoke with her last night and will talk with her today etc.
 
Have A Great Day,
Fran

JULY 4th

HAPPY FOUTH OF JULY TO EVERYONE!!

We are going over to our son's house tonight for supper and fireworks.  We tape the Fourth Of July Firework display in New York.  We will watch that later tonight or tomorrow.

Not feeling much like celebrating.  My brother is still in the UK Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.  It's not good BUT STILL PRAYING AND HOPEING FOR A MIRCALE.

HAPPY FOUTH OF JULY,
Luv  & HUZS

TODAY & NEW FENCE

 

"DESIREE ANN DEVINE"

 

Desiree wanted her photo put on again.  It's been awhile since she has had her picture on my blog.
You know how these dolls can be. LOL!! Just a little bit of humor. :-)  She's one of my little lady dolls.  I have to make more of them.  They are soooooo much fun to create.  She's the same doll I'm teaching at All Doll Art in Austin EXCEPT the one I'm teaching is dressed different.  All my students will dress their dolls different.  Just the bodies will be the same size, etc. 

Got several men in our back yard taking the old wooden fence down.  We have 3 neighbors and ourselves that have to pay for it.  Weird the way developments work.  It will be nice when it's finished. GEEEEEEZZZ we will see our neighbors back yards now. And they will see ours.  LOL LOL LOL!!!  It's like houses used to be when I lived and grew up in Kentucky.  We didn't have fences around us. 
Everyone Have A Great Day,
Fran

THIS & THAT & NOTHING! OH AND WEIGHT WATCHERS
AFTER ALL IT IS TUESDAY!!

NOPE! Didn't go to Weight Watchers today.  Didn't want to. I just know I put some weight back on after loosing it.  I refuse to get on my scales to see. Will just wait until next Tuesday to weigh in.

Have to go for my yearly blood work on Friday.  Not looking forward to that.  I hate needles!!!  Then July 5th the follow up to have the doctor give me the results. That's my daughter Brandi's birthday. Good Day! Hope the results are good. 

I've been working on stuff for All Dolls Are Art Conference. 
Been one of those days when I can't find what I'm looking for.
Lots done but still lots to do.

I have more art items than any one person should have. LOL!  What makes me think I NEED a Michael's, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's or Hancock Fabric fix. ROL!!!  I have a store right here in my 2 studios I can go shopping in.  BUT! Sometimes I don't have what I need and I HAVE to go shopping for more. SOMETIMES WE NEED MORE ART STUFF RATHER WE DO OR NOT! I really miss my Garage Studio that I had in Las Vegas, NV.  Didn't have any problem finding what I was looking for.  It had lots and lots of room.  I'm not really complaining........:-)  I'm just tired.  My brain hurts from overload !!!

I have so much to do and don't seem to get anything finished.  I guess I can't say that either.  Yes, I can :-)  I have lots and lots to do. BUT! I have finished 6 painting, several dolls and working on lots and lots more stuff.  Like I've said before I'm a Multi Tasker.
Sometimes I wish I wasn't.  I'd like to try and start on one thing and finish it before I move on to another. LOL LOL!!   I think I SHOULD TRY THAT SOON!  TOMORROW I WILL TRY IT!

Everyone Have A Great Day Creating!!
Hugs
Fran

Lost a half of a pound this week when weighed in at Weight Watchers this week. I'll take it! At least I lost something even though it was a half of a pound.  Better something than nothing. 

Going to post some new pictures soon.  Got new batteries for my camera and will start taking some pictures tomorrow.

I'm going to make some more of my pin dolls as seen above.  They are fun to make and I can sit and watch TV with my hubby while creating them. 

Got lots of other things I'm working on also.  Getting ready to teach at "All Dolls Are Art" Conference  in Austin, Texas.  July 25-28, 2013.  It's a WONDERFUL FUN Conference.  HOPE TO SEE SOME OF YOU THERE.  

I'm Teaching a 3 day class. 

 "VICTORIA VANDERBILT"  

I am working on lots of new stuff.  Got lots and lots and lots of stuff to do before I have to leave for the conference in July. 

CREATE! CREATE! CREATE! & CREATE SOME MORE!!

Hugs,

Fran

TODAY

Today I went to Weight Watchers and GUESS WHAT!!!  
YES, I LOST 2.2 lbs.  It's about time I stuck with the diet. 
Made me happy.  

Been cleaning my studio desk out.  GEZZZZZZ! How does one person have so much stuff???? Looks like a Pack Rat lives in my desk.  Seems I'm always cleaning my Studio or/and Studios.   I have more stuff to create with; one would think I would never have to go to Michael's, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's or Hancock Fabric ever again. 
BUT there is always something I need that I don't have OR maybe can't find.  :-)  

Just wanted to post today.  I haven't posted in a few days.  Life is in the fast lane, seems like anyhow.  Usually is. 

Going to go see what I can find to eat for supper.  I will be good and not eat foods I shouldn't.  :-)  I don't want to put the 2.2 lbs I lost back on.  I want to loose and get down to my goal weight.

Everyone have a great time creating!
Hugs
Fran      

P.S. Still no pictures to post yet.  Got to get batteries for my camera.  I will tomorrow.  I have to go shopping tomorrow so batteries are on my list already. :-)

UPDATE ON COMPUTER, ETC

As some know computer men hard wired my computer on Friday. WOOOHOO  Lighting Fast.  Still is. 
Yesterday Saturday the Tech guy was here all day getting rid of stuff in my computer and changing lots of stuff,etc.  He was here all day.  I have been checking everything out on my computer and it's great.
I'm a HAPPY CAMPER!! :-)  

Got new cell phone yesterday.  Not sure if I like it yet or not.  Don't know how to use some things on it but will learn.  They don't put booklets in with the cell phones anymore that tells everything about the phone.  NOT A GOOD THING!!  Just a small few pages and that's not really any help.  Going to take my phone back tomorrow evening and get Nick (he's the one that sold it to us) to show me how to work the keyboard on it.  Not sure if I like that.  LOL LOL!!  Will know more tomorrow night about it.  I think I love my old phone better. LOL LOL!!  At least I know how to use it. LOL  Better Laugh Than Cry.  Although I am whining here.  :-)

EVERYONE HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY,
HUGS
Fran

COMPUTER

WOOOOOHOOOO!!! The men were here and hard wired my computer!  It is lighting fast now.  No more sitting forever waiting for emails, etc etc to come up or being kicked off.  I'm HAPPY!!!   Glad my son & hubby sent their men to fix my computer.  Now, I don't have to sit here forever waiting for emails, etc etc to come up.  I was really sick of my computer. That is why I was not on it a lot lately.  It was a REAL ROYAL PAIN!!  Now it's NICE! :-)

Going to go and finish putting things back in my studio where they belong.  At least having to move stuff out gave me a change to do some cleaning where I couldn't reach.  LOL  After I finish putting stuff where it all belongs I will start creating again. 

Everyone Have A Creative Day
Hugs
Fran

HELLO OUT THERE IN BLOG LAND

Hello Everyone in Blog Land.  I haven't been a good blogger lately.  Been doing lots of life stuff.  I want to create more dolls, etc etc.  Computer is acting nice right now. SHHHHHH! I know I should not say that.  Tomorrow hopefully the guy will fix this computer and I won't have the problems I have been having. 

Looks like rain moving in on us.  I hope OK doesn't get hit again.  The weather man said storms headed their way again.  I sure hope not.  I send lots of prayers and thoughts to all in OK. Stay safe.  I hope the weather man is wrong.  It's getting darker here but nothing yet. 

Went shopping at Hancock Fabric, Joann's, Hobby Lobby, Michael's and Barns N Nobles.  Went to lunch with my hubby and son Kevin.  Now I'm home. :-) 

Hobby Lobby had this wonderful colorful sofa $1299 marked down to $699.  If I had a place for it I would have bought it. LOL LOL LOL!!  Well, I would have really really thought about it.  OH WELL!!!!   I did buy a set of Chef Salt n Pepper Shakers (very colorful and they fit right in my Red/Black Kitchen.  I have bought lots of chef stuff from Hobby Lobby since we moved here.  I had a red & black kitchen in our Las Vegas house and I HAD TO HAVE my kitchen here in red & black when we left and moved here. 

Got lots of rose bushes planted in our back yard.  Hubby made planter boxes for the rose bushes.  He still has some work to do yet. Makes me HAPPY!  Now if I could get a Humming Bird or several Humming Birds to come to my Humming Bird Feeder. I would be a real Happy Camper. :-)  They might be here but I haven't seen any when I look out the windows.    Really doesn't take much to make me Happy. :-)

Tomorrow the Computer Tech comes to fix my computer.   At least I hope he fixes it.  Although it is acting NICE so far today.  SHHHHHhhhhhhh!  I should not say that out loud.   This would make me REAL HAPPY!! Time will tell.

Love This Door

If I could paint my front door red & black with this cat on my front door I would LOVE IT!!  Living in a HOA stops me from painting it on my front door.  Our back door has glass in it so I can't paint it on that door.  I do have a hallway by my studios, guest bedroom and 2nd bathroom.  Mmmmmm! The bathroom has a door right across from my one studio.  Maybe I could paint the cat on it.  That's a great thought.  I'll run it by my hubby and see what he thinks.  He will probably say, do whatever you want to.  LOL LOL! Good thought I had while posting to my blog.

Better get off here while computer is still being nice.  I don't want to loose this post.

Everyone Have  A Creative Day,
Hugs
Fran

SWAP-STORMS-WW-ETC

I was in a Bird Nest Swap hosted by Vivian and my swap partner is Michelle.  What a FUN FUN SWAP!!  Below you will find pictures of the Bird Nest Swap that Michelle created for me. WOW!

 

BIRD & NEST MICHELLE CREATED FOR ME! CUTE AS CAN BE ISN'T IT!!!

 

 

 

BIRD NEST NECKLACE &  EARRINGS MICHELLE CREATED FOR ME!!  WOW! WOW!

I LOVE EVERYTHING SHE CREATED!! MICHELLE IS VERY TALENTED!!

THANK YOU VIVIAN FOR HOSTING THIS SWAP!!

 

STORMS

MY HEART FELT THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL THAT WAS IN THE PATH OF THE TORNADO'S IN OKLAHOMA THE PAST FEW DAYS!   We had tornadoes & sever storms in our area here in North Dallas Area(Wylie is were I live) BUT NOTHING LIKE they had in Oklahoma.  

 

Didn't go to WEIGHT WATCHERS YESTERDAY!  We had sever storms in the area again.  I was not going out in the weather to weigh in.  Some areas had trees, etc down.  Here at my house we had the bad storms, high winds, rain, etc.  We didn't have any damage. 

 

Still having some computer problems.  Got to get my son to come over and see what is going on with my computer.  It's being a royal pain sometimes.  Perhaps it's the person using the computer. LOL LOL!!!

 

EVERYONE HAVE A SAFE, HAPPY, CREATING WEEK!

Hugs

Fran



WEIGHT WATCHERS & STUDIOS

I gained a couple of ounces.  I've been gaining weight each week now for awhile. YES! It's my fault.  I guess I can call myself a STRESS EATER!  GOT it under control now. :-)  I PROMISED MYSELF I WILL KEEP WITH THE WEIGHT WATCHERS PLAN.  I told Weight Watchers person that I am starting as though I just signed up for Weight Watchers.  They liked that. I've had a hard time staying away from the sugar foods. Now my mind is made up that I CAN DO IT & I'M GOING TO DO IT!!

I weigh 160.4 lbs. As Of Yesterday when I weighed in.  I'm going to POST MY WEIGHT each week on my Blog.  This gives me more of a reason to loose my weight.  I want to weigh 128 - 130 lbs. Health wise there is no reason why I can't.  I have to PUSH AWAY FROM THE TABLE OF FOOD!! No Seconds, etc. 
YO YO Dieting is NOT GOOD FOR YOU. 

I know I posted before that I'm going to eat right, etc.  I have to get the SUGAR STUFF out of my house or I should say out of my head.

So now ALL KNOWS I'm FAT!! Well, I am. I'm known for telling the Truth.  You know the saying....The Truth Will Sit You Free!!
I have a closet full of small clothing that I can not get into anymore.
Give me time and I WILL get back into those smaller clothing.

OK, I will stop going on about my weight now. Guess I just needed to say it.

Now about my Studios. I should be finished cleaning and putting stuff away by tomorrow. You know things never go the way you want them to. Something always gets in the way and takes up your time. I worked on my studios yesterday and I sure hope I finish them by tomorrow night.

I don't know about you BUT when I have a messy studio I can't find anything (well sometimes I can). I'm going to bag up lots of stuff that I'm not going to use (or think I'm not going to use) and sell it on my sales tables when I teach or do craft shows and/or on my Etsy shop when I put items on it.
Sorry I rambled on and on but Thanks for listening. At least I feel better now. :-)
Hugs
Fran

 

MOTHER'S DAY

Wishing all Mom's a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

 

XOXO

Fran

IT'S A NEW DAY!!

 

It is a beautiful day but very windy. It's in the 80's and feels great.

I was outside for awhile watering my rose bushes and trees.  We are suppose to get bad storms later this evening.  I hope that has changed since I heard it on the news.  I DO NOT LIKE STORMS OF ANY SHAPE OR FORM!!!  Never did even as a child.  I would run and hide my head in my Mama's lap or go jump in bed with my Mama & Daddy.

 

Seems the days just fly by and I don't get much done.  I did clean the house today.  You know the routine....pick up, sweep, mop, clean everything, wash clothes, etc etc etc etc etc.

 

OH! and watch a little bit of TV. :-)  I only watched a couple of shows this morning.  I have been going through papers, etc.  Way too much paper around.  Little notes here and there; especially in my studios.  Don't know what I was thinking writing myself little notes and sticking them on my computer cabinet and other places in my studios.  I'm turning over a new leave today...........No more notes stuck everywhere...Will clean up as I create.  :-) HAHAHA! Just like that will happen. MMMMMM I will give it a try. :-)  It's nice working where it's clean and not clustered.  Can't find anything then.  I've given it a lot of thought today.  My Studios Are Going To Be Neat And I Will Know Where Everything Is.   THINK IT WILL WORK??????????????? LOL LOL LOL!!!  I HOPE SO!!

It's worth a shot.  Will see what happens.

 

I shouldn't be on the computer.  I should be straighten up my Studios SO I CAN CREATE MORE!!!!   RIGHT?????

I know I'm not the only one that thinks this way.  I don't know why I let things get into a mess.  Just takes away from MY CREATING!

 

SO, Off the computer and START Cleaning Studios.  :-)

"TIFFANY FAE WHIMSI"

(one of my patterns) she's sitting here looking at me as I type.  As my children would say....Mama, that's Creepy. LOL Hey, a girl's gotta have fun. :-)

 

I've had enough fun for now! I have to get busy in my Studios.  Creations need to be Created.  

 

All Have A Wonderful Day Creating,

XO

Fran