Happy New Year!

 I hope you all had a pleasant holiday season.  I know it's a stressful time for so many.  My circle is so small now that the holidays are an enjoyable time for me.  

I buckled down and got busy on some handmade gifts for my family.  Each member of my family got a piece or two of handmade goodness.  The g-kids all got a box with a burning on it, full of goodies, necklaces, toys, etc.  All got a round loomed stocking hat, as well. 

These were the kids, I didn't get a pic of the adults hat, but they were cool.  I didn't get a pic of the boxes and burnings, either, because I procrastinate too much.  

This was the first draft of my daughter's gift.

 

This is hanging on my wall.  

These were a custom order from a friend/repeat customer.

 I made for my sister on my peg loom, from jeans she had given to me.  
Some of David's jeans are in there, too.

This was the pre-burning of a plaque I did for my oldest niece and her honey.  The kids all got round loomed stocking hats.  There are 8 kids.  The girls got pretty colored ones, the boys were black and red, their school colors, but the pattern I used on each one of them was different.

Blended families are awesome, but they're a lot of work!

This was good in my belly.  

This little note showed up in a dresser drawer.  
I had tidied that drawer 2 days prior. 

My daughter doesn't remember it.  

I may have sleep walked into a diff dimension the other night.

 

A burning I did for my boys.  
This, of course, is pre-burning.

The cats were made to resemble my nephew's cats, which they did and the boys loved them.  

They're done in faux leather and felt.  

The dragon was made for my great-niece in her requested colors.

I finally found the fur I was looking for, the Cow Kitty is the first I made, I have two other furs for 2 more cats, one is a bobcat kinda looking, and an all black. I knew I had a stash of sherpa, and finally found it!  Fluffy White Kitty has felt inside the ears.  Both are available, send me a message!  

These were for my other niece and her husband and his brother.  If you knew them you would know how absolutely perfect this gift was.  I was so tickled that they liked them as much as I hoped they would.

My $1.25 tree, some accessories I already had.  

I've had these elf heads for years, and finally getting around to doing something with them.  This is the first try, with a body pattern I found on Pinterest.  I know I didn't attach the head to the body "correctly" but I think I have it figured out for next time.  

 

 

This was for my bonus g-son.  

This is my newest Critter.  It's made from faux leather and felt, with the pompom nose.  My first thought was to call it Stormy Cat, but one of my friend/customer mentioned that it looks like the Moon, so with the sparkles that you cant see in the photos, I believe it'll be called Moon Cat.  Available for purchase, and I usually can ship next day.

If you are still reading this, please leave me a comment! 

I just moved my computer to a place that's easier for me to use, so I'll be updating on a more regular basis...up to you if that's a good or bad thing.  *wink*

Play Nice!  xxoo

Farmer's Market

 

I got up at 5:30 Saturday morning, and headed to my former hometown for their last Farmer's Market/Junk in the Trunk on the Square.  You can see that we pull into a parking spot, then work from the back of our vehicles, which I think is awesome, especially for setting up and tearing down.  

I was able to sell a few pieces, that made me happy.  Got a lot of compliments on my work, a lot of folks picked up my business card, so that makes me hopeful!  

Early morning markets are not the best place to sell handmade items.  My daughter and I did a lot of shows when she was living in the US, most of them were afternoon/evening and we had good luck.  Gosh, I think back to how green I was to pyrography at that time, but still was able to sell some pieces.  

The highlight of my day was when a little girl bee-lined to my little faux patent letter Fat Cat, with the textured highlight on his belly.  In the pic, it's the black one on the left corner.  I could tell by her eyes that she loved it.  She asked me how much it was, so I told her it was $5 (usually $15) and she was so disappointed.  I asked her how many dollars she had to spend and she showed me a $1 dollar bill.  

Of course I sold it to her for $1!  She loved it, and I wasn't going to let her leave without it.  I even asked her if she wanted to pick any of the others of if she really wanted that one.  She hugged it to her chest and said that was the one she wanted.  Made me really happy.  

I sold the Big Fat Halloween Cat, and the Big Dipper Cat, a couple of burnt pieces, and had a good time.  I was happy to be home after it was over, though.  I'm always happy to be back home.

My sister, Mary, and I went to the Thrift Store here in town on Friday, and I scored some more yarn for my stocking hats.  My stack of hats is growing!  Now that my fingers are used to making them again, I can whip one out in a couple of days.  

Life is good!  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Handmade by Cosmo

Anticipation!

 Ok, which did you think of, the ketchup commercial or Carly Simon?

All my stuff!  I keep thinking about "back then" and where all my things are...I lived in that house (not home) for 20 years, and can still see every nook and cranny in my head.  I know where everything of mine is.  

Ah, but since he will be unsupervised by anyone on "my side," I will get what I get and I will be happy with what I get.  I really don't think he will keep anything of mine on purpose.  

And there he'll be left with a great big house.  Empty of everything except the demons.  

It's all his.  All of it.  He wins!

Kidding, of course.

I, myself, am the glorious, victorious winner!  The Queen of Everything has been restored!

Her Throne is small, as is her kingdom.  That's how she likes it.

TA DA!

I just playin', kinda.  I am the Queen Mother, my kids treat me very nicely and love me.  

At this stage of my game, I could also be called a Dowager (right, Danielle?), which I really don't care for the sound of of the word, and the first definition does not fit at all, hopefully the second one does...

dow·a·ger

[ˈdouəjər]

NOUN

1. a widow with a title or property derived from her late husband:

   "the dowager duchess" · "the queen dowager"

   • INFORMAL
     a dignified elderly woman:
     "a handsome dowager was standing in front of the mirror"
     
     

 Or, a Crone, which I do like the sound of the word, but I had to search for the definition that fits what I mean...most of the defs were appearance descriptive, but I mean the "aspect" of what being this age is like...

crone

  (krōn)

n.

1. Derogatory An old woman considered to be ugly; a hag.

2. A woman who is venerated for experience, judgment, and wisdom.

 I'll take 2 for the win.  

Well, that was a nice distraction.  I also did my morning chores, which I will probably detail in a later blog, because I know you are dying to know.  *insert saracastic tone here*

I remembered that I had a brand new pair of Skecher sneakers over there in my closet, I hope they make it here.  He bought them, so it's iffy.  Not a big deal.  (Random thought)

So, I'll close for now and work on some burnings.  

I made this one for my Aunt.  

She's a good, Christian woman,

and she makes beautiful quilts.

  

These are going in my bathroom

This one is hanging on my front door.

I don't have many visitors, 

and those that do always call...

but you never know.

If you see something you're interested in, leave me a comment, or hit me up at cndfrnd@gmail.com.  Put something clever in the subject, just for grins.

2 days away from Stuff Day!  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Greg says, "Meow."  

(Literally, that's all he can say)

*gs*

Recreational Marijuana in Missouri!

But...it's still illegal Federally, so you can still get in trouble!  Pffft.  

Our "systems" are so stoopid and broken.  It is def time to scrap them all and redo.  

Not the Constitution, I am talking about all the red tape and mumbo jumbo and hoops that we have to jump through to get what is rightfully ours to begin with!  

Recreational Marijuana...finally!  We are finally allowed to enjoy a weed that grows here on this planet just as naturally as a dandelion.  I cannot wait to nurture a tiny little weed to a full blown "flower" producing plant, right outside on my patio, where I can see it from my window...

Oh, wait...I live in a federally assisted complex, which means I pay a lower rent (for a crappy 1 br apt but it's mine and I love it), because the feds are doling out my money in meager little doses, lest I get to carefree and want to fill my entire gas tank instead of putting $10 (sometimes in quarters) at a time, I would get in trouble for growing that here.  As a matter of fact, if I even smoked marijuana in the apt. I live in, since the feds pay part of my rent, I could be evicted on the spot.

But I can walk into a dispensary now, without a card, and buy some.  

*insert a very large question mark here*

Today is Sunday, and my sister wants me to go to the disp. with her.  Of course I will go with her.  I know most of the employees by name, and I usually have a good time there.  

I pretty much have a good time all the time now.  I am probably a little too loud, a bit too exuberant at times, I just want to make a difference in other people's days in a good way.  

Now, the good people of Missouri that have been buying off the streets can get a decent bag of weed for a good price, legally.  Shoot, they can even order online and use the ding dang drive thru!  

Since I have an errand to run, I believe I will have a shower.  60 degrees for the high today?  In February?  Yes, please!  I'll be sporting a hoodie today!  

Play Nice!  xxoo

P.S.  puff puff pass  *gs*

I burnt this.

Its a cigar box sized box, with fancy antique bronzed hardware.

Super Cool, polyurethane sealed inside and out.

Special Offer for this blog only until Feb 28, 2023

$20 ($5.00 off) + $7 s/h

Tell your friends, I'll give them the same deal until that date, 

Code Word = Legal

La la la!

Tuesday Morning Coffee Thoughts

 Sitting here at my kitchen table, having coffee and gazing out the window, thinking my thoughts.

This living alone thing is very nice.  It's not as easy to shake some shackles off, though.

So many preconceived notions about time, especially.  I have been, for most of my adult life, lived by the clock.  I did the same things at the same time every day.  Get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, bla bla bla.  

Even the last couple years, before the "Stuff," I didn't have a job, but I still did things on a routine basis.  

So now, when I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, I find myself still feeling like 10:00 pm is my bedtime, and my alarm is still set for 8:00 am.  

So, first things first...unless I have to be somewhere the next day, I will not be setting a morning alarm.  Second, I will try to stay up until I feel sleepy, although Greg is pretty used to us hitting the feathers at 10, so he might have an issue with this.  

Meet Greg.  

He had a cone on because he had a wound at the base of his tail.  

He's much better now.

He also has a feel for when wake up time is.  He demonstrated that this morning when he lightly bit the tip of my nose about 3 minutes before the alarm went off.  

Tomorrow will be an alarm day, as it is my payday.  I'll be heading into town to pick up a  grocery/supply order.  Will probably have a quick visit with a couple of my favorite boys, then head back home.  

The next day will be a big laundry day.  I feel lucky to have laundry facilities within walking distance.  Not like having them in my own place, but better than driving to a laundromat, right?  

This is my Kitty Version of Greg

(I kinda love him, check out his white toes)

My son has been telling me to "slow my roll" for a few years now.  I tend to "flit."  Instead of focusing on how I get there, my focus is getting there.  

I start a project, I am bang on gonna work on it until it is finished...then on to the next one.  Especially my wood burnings.  Fast and furious.  I could do a couple in a day...but not as well as if I had actually focused on each line.  While my burnings were good, they are getting so much better.  

I don't know if you can tell the diff or not, but I can.

This is a 11" round hanging plaque, there's plenty of room for a quote, a last name, a word to be burned onto it.  Comes with twine for hanging.  Let me know if you are interested.  

Anyway, I am gonna finish this 2nd cuppa coffee, do my morning chores, run a quick errand, and be home for the rest of the day.  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Handmade by Cosmo

Happy Happy New Year!

 I started my new year in my very own place of my own, got the keys mid November, moved in by December 1st.  

My place became a home the night that Greg, aka Good Boy Greg, moved in.  

He's a good kitty.  I love him.  We had a moment this morning, though.  For the 3rd time he knocked over a jar of water with long stem lillies in it.  I almost got angry but then I thought to myself, "who's the dummy here, the cat doing what cats do, or the dumb human that has already cleaned this mess up twice, expecting it not to happen again?"  

Ok,then...moving forward...

Living alone for the first time in forever is really suiting me.  Making me stronger in many ways, like doing things for myself instead of waiting for someone else to do them was a bad habit I let myself get into.  I'm getting my independence back.  But no worries, if I need help with something I am not afraid to ask.

My furnishings are sparse, just a couple things hanging on the walls, the floors are bare, and most of the furniture was free or usually less than $10.

And I am happier than I have been in a really long time. . 

I'm not just sitting around eating bon bons, though.  My hands have been happy, too!

Cosmo's Kittys

There are some holiday ones, I especially love the Anti-Valentine Kitty.

A couple of Terriers, I call these two Pinky and Gramps.

This is a smaller version, not completely finished, no name yet.

I've been doing some woodburning, too, trying some new techniques, and happy with the outcome so far.  I have a couple pieces to finish, waiting to finish one piece before I get the sealer out.  

These are cigar boxes, they'll be ready to go soon.

That should pretty much catch us up, and hopefully I'll be more better at blogging on a regular basis...that's a novel idea.  

If you have any interest in any of my goods, please send me a message on FB or Insta, or here, of course.  I'm HandmadebyCosmo (I am pretty sure) on those forums.  

I'm always open to a custom order, or to a question, even a suggestion if you have one.  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Home from a Flea Market

 So...just got home.  Made a few sales, made some new friends, gave my business card to a few people, got stood up by a chick that had me put the burning of Jesus back for her.  

I mean, honestly?  Flake out on Jesus?  

Had a little snafu with Square, hopefully I can get it straightened out tomorrow.  

My new umbrella worked out great, it's a sun blocker, and adjustable 3 different ways.  

Here's my set-up today...it's a work in process.  

I brought 2 tables today, which helped with the display.  I really think I need another rack, but I'd have to sell a little bit more when I don't need every penny I can get right now.  Times are tight for Cosmo these days!  

I sold about 12 pieces.  I get so tickled when someone buys one of my burnings.  In the words of Sally Fields, "They like them, they really like them!"

There may be another flea market October, weather permitting I'll be there.  Working on my etsy shop, also.  

Handmade by Cosmo

Along with running around with Young Son a bit this week, my shop (see above) is my main priority.  I want to get it up and running, so you guys can share it with all your friends, and hopefully, we'll all have a Merry Christmas this year!  

Speaking of this year...does anyone actually know what in the world is going on right now?  "They"say this, "they" say that, of course there's always someone else that is saying something completely different.  

Yeah, I know it's been awhile, but the time to begin (or re-begin) is always now, so why not?

If you happen to see this, leave me a little comment?  Like I said, working on my shop (see above) and being seen is important!  

Play Nice!  xxoo

Hey guys!

So much has been going on.  In August, right after the kids got an offer on their house, Mother Nature threw them a curve ball.  A "microburst" pulled a huge tree out of their back yard, damaging their fence and their neighbors fence, then flung it down upon their two-tier deck, and part of their roof.  Add to that, my SIL was leaving in two days for 6 weeks in Tennessee. 

My daughter is a wonder.  I can't even express how much stress she was going through, all with a smile on her face, loving the kids, doing what needed to be done.  Handled contractors, insurance people, etc.  I am always proud of her, but she iced the cake with this one.

So, the house is sold.  Not to the original people that offered, they backed out, but that was the 30th something house they had looked at, husband did not want to move, so the next people that looked at it, damaged and all, are now the proud owners.  1st time homeowners, they worked hard to get there, and we are real happy for them. 

My daughter's little family have been staying with us for their last couple weeks in Missouri.  They've been here a week now and how much fun do you imagine it is for me to be able to just walk down a flight of stairs, sit down on the floor and build a lego tower with the g-twins, or have my big-g sleeping with me every night? 

Amazing fun.  Amazing.  And I am truly thankful for the time I get to spend with all of them before they run off and start their exciting new chapter of their lives.

On the business side, I have been selling a lot of burnings!  We did a few shows in Warrensburg, and those were very successful.  I set up at a flea market here in my town once and sold a fair bit.  That makes me pretty happy.

This is the one everyone pointed out 

and read out loud.  

I was thrilled when someone finally purchased it!

I got a new burner, a bit more professional than the soldering iron/wood burning  pen from Walmart.  It heats up super quick and can get super hot.  It came with 3 tips, but I treated myself to a new ball type tip after I sold a few burninngs.  I really like it.  

My new work-room furniture arrived this week.  Amish, custom  roll top desk, a writing desk which will be my wood burning table) and a nice chair.  My mind is going a jillion different directions as to how to decorate.  Glad to have some help, my SIL is going to hang the knick-knack shelf came from the house I grew up in.  I have hauled it from place to place to place, only to have it hanging once in the duplex we lived in before we moved to Sweetheart's house.  I am super excited to get it hanging up, and decorating it with all my treasures I have collected through the years. 

Of course, I will share a pic here. 

Come take a look at my Facebook page, Handmade by Cosmo.  The links are pinned at the top of the page. 

Oh yeah, I am offering a super duper sale, from now (10-25-19) to November 25, 2019:  All burnings will be $10.  Personalized burnings will be $15.  $5.00 shipping.  Act now, or act a little later, just don't wait too long.  Christmas won't wait, not even for procrastinators! 

Play Nice!  xxoo