Please accept my resignation. I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.

Groucho Marx said that, but its something (or a paraphrase of) I've used often. Back in October a girlfriend asked me if I was interested in joining a group of ladies that held a "P.P.P." evening.

Now, before I get into what the 3 P's group is all about I have to tell you that I tend not to 'join' anything. When I commit to something I really want to COMMIT to it. I want to make sure that I will 100% participate in whatever it is that I've agreed to do. Hence, I don't tend to sign up for much. I'm very much afraid of letting people down, even myself. So I take the chicken way out and don't get involved with much.

But ..... I also realized that since my husband in not a social person that I also really needed to make an effort to get out and be with people on a social level, and in particular women. I'm an introvert at heart, but I like people enough to want to spend some time in the company of. Outside of work of course, but I can overdose on people just by the nature of my job.

So anyway - against my husbands cautioning of not being able to commit to things I sallied forth and said 'yes' to this once a month feminine social gathering of 12.

I've been to 2 evenings so far, and so far - I've enjoyed myself very much. Now to the explanation of what the three P's are:

1) Party
2) Pig-out
3) Pamper

Simple isn't it? Simple rules to follow as well. We only have 12 (somewhat random) women who have been invited into the group to meet on a once a month basis. You must commit to it for one year. Once a month one women hosts the evening (any evening of her choosing and everyone else's availability). The only thing the host needs to supply is some forms of beverage and a "party" place. The other women each bring the "Pig-out" food offerings. Each women also brings $20 for the pot and sometime during the evening a draw is held with the names of the ladies attending (with the exception of the hostess). The winner of the draw is the designated hostess for the next month, and she gets the pot of $240. Here comes the "pamper" part - sometime before the next gathering the winner and next hostess is to do something out-of-the-ordinary special for herself with the $240. She is NOT to spend it on bills. She is NOT to spend it on her children or family. She is NOT to spend it on groceries. She is ONLY to pamper herself with something she wouldn't normally do. Then she has to tell us what she did with the money when we gather again at her house.

At my first meeting with these ladies (and I must add here that I only knew 3 of the ladies, and that was by coincidence outside of the lady who invited me. So this is a unique way of meeting new people) the women who won the pot was so excited, she immediately announced that she was going to get a "Brazilian Blowout". Which I understand that for people who have uncontrollably curly hair and want straight hair this is the biggest news since sliced bread.

HOWEVER - this procedure has been banned in Canada and she wasn't able to do the do. It seems there's this little chemical called formaldehyde that gets created in the process and its a bit frowned upon up here in the great white north.

Don't worry, the lady in question still pampered herself with an extremely expensive hair cute and facial.

The next pot winner - who will be hosting next month, has decided that we will do a Christmas tree decoration swap. We are each to bring a decoration that best describes us, and we exchange them anonymously and have to guess who the giver was. In following years as you put up the ornament you think fondly of the fellow PPP member.

So, I will continue with this club until they find out I'm a member and kick me out.

(P.S. Anyone care to guess what I'll do for my ornament?)

To All My American Friends

Aspiring to Bigger Things - But Afraid

Many of you are well aware of the needle felting craft I took up about a year ago. Each little creation comes from my heart, and often - starting them is the most difficult thing. I have very little confidence in my abilities, but do try to push those thoughts to the side and just go with my heart. I've had a lot of fun making the items, and hope not to stop any time soon.

Recently I purchased a new book called "Needle Felting - To The Point" by an artist that simply goes by Harlan. I aspire to be this good.


The artists ability to create so much detail and expression leaves me in complete awe.

This one, is my all time favourite.

It is so extraordinarily cat-like, it takes my breath away.

So when people (and by people I mean Lin) ask/hint to me to create something so specific and special as their own pet - I panic. And by no means do I intone that Lin should feel bad for her suggestion. It's legitimate, but it feels so far beyond my capabilities to do justice to the project.

You see - - - I never want to disappoint people. I don't want to attempt and fail.

It's one thing to create a mythical figure or animal from my head. Somehow that gives me no impression of need for perfection. When its a creature/creation that has simply come from my imagination, I only have to set the bar to my height. But when its a very specific item that means more to the receiver of the gift than to me - that bar feels beyond reach.

Do I sound hard on myself? I probably am. It's only ever been in my artistic endeavours that I've felt so passionate about competency. I sucked as a student in school. A top grade of C+ made me giddy with accomplishment. But not when it came to my art. That was in a field all on its own.

Where am I going with the entry? I have no idea. I have been inspired by recently encouragement (you know who you are), and this new needle felting book has fed flame to the fire. There very well may be an orange stripey cat in my not-to-distant future attempts. You'll just have to stay tuned to find out.

This Would Be A Very Cool Experience!

I had to add this one because it cracked me up.



For more of this last one - check out improverywhere.com HIGH-Larious!!!

32 Truths for Mature Humans

You've probably already seen this or received it as a frwd, but I saw it today and it gave me a much needed snicker.

I'd like to add that I totally don't get #5. It's simple if you really think about it.

A Productive Holiday

There's nothing like a holiday mid week to make me happy.

Our office was closed yesterday and I'm back in today. A little discombobulating, but I'm not complaining.

But I had a most excellent day yesterday - let me tell you about it. I didn't wake/get up until 10:45am!!! Can you spell - I NEEDED SOME SLEEP! And made a point of not rushing into anything. Just play the day out as it was to go. Point in fact: I didn't get out of my PJ's until 5pm when we went out to dinner. Talk about lazy.

However, lazy only went as far as my mode of dress. I pulled out my laptop and my crafting gear and plunked myself down for some good movie watching and Christmas card making.

I'd missed the airing of "Glee - Rocky Horror" episode, so I'd downloaded it and sang along. Then I moved on to the first two episodes of "The Event". A new show on this fall, and the jury is still out on whether I'll keep watching it. Then I moved over to Netflix and watched "All About Steve" with Sandra Bullock. I love Sandra Bullock - even if this movie wasn't great, I still love me some Sandra.

Through all of the watching and listening I managed to make 18 Christmas cards from scratch. I am most please with myself!!

I suppose I should have assisted my husband, who took it upon himself to vacuum the house as well as condition the leather furniture. But far be it from me to get in the way of a husband doing domestic duties ..... no, I stayed glued to my kitchen table, paper crafting, television watching - and enjoyed every stinking minute of it.

Later that even, after closing up the craft shop and dinner - I settled in for some regular TV with the hubby and needle felting.

I really do have a thing for multi-tasking don't I.

Anyway - I finished a 3rd and smaller gecko. A friend of mine will be having a table at a craft fair next month and has kindly volunteered to sell some of my works. I've got several more projects to complete for it, but in the end - what I get done, I get done. I can't push myself any harder than that otherwise it takes the fun out of the hobby. The stressful point is trying to figure out what the items are worth ..... I won't go there now.

So all in all I had a great holiday day. I do thank the soldiers who keep our country safe, and who have kept our country safe. Both my grandfathers served in the 1st World War, and my parents in the 2nd World War. I never knew any of my grandparents, but do have war mementos to remind me of the sacrifices they made. Thanks.

Bring It On!!!

Meet Larry, a distant cousin to Liz (previous entry).



And a cup of coffee for the guy who has everything.



I seem to be on a role. Which is a good thing. I should be thinking about Christmas gifts, but alas .... those kinds of inspirations aren't coming nearly so easily.

A Very Creative Weekend!!

I love it when a plan comes together!!!

I had a very fruitful, creative weekend. I got 30 Christmas cards assembled and completed. Now I just need to come up with a new design (which I have in my head) and 30 more. And that will take some pressure off there.

Also . . . I completed my newest needle felting project.




This little fellow was for no other reason than for the fun of crafting. He's up for sale if anyone is interested. Just drop me a comment and let me know.

I think I'll try a white squirrel next, but I was also entertaining the thought of creating a mug of coffee ....... Oh the possibilities.

P.S. What should I name him/her?

P.S.S. Lin has suggested "Liz" as a name and I've accepted! Thanks Lin.

P.S.S.S. I have since made a Cup of Coffee and will post a picture soon.