Guess who's turning 24 again!!? ; )

 

 

Hello my dears!! It's October 22nd, my birthday! And as the years go by I understand more and more why us ladies fail to mention the actual number of years since we've been born. I know I'm still young but I remember my friend's moms being 32! Ouch! For the past few years I've been fictionally turning 24, and my younger sister Missy has been getting frustrated that she's now fictionally older. Anyway, I guess I'm ok with it. I don't know if I'll ever be more than 17 in the brain anyway! Who knows when I'll ever actually grow up in the traditional sense? Maybe never.

  Well, I've got a big day ahead. I believe it will be ALL of the Heid kids (including Jason!! YAY!) plus Aaron, Missy's boyfriend, and Little bro Richard's girlfriend. We're heading into NYC to one of my fave little places to eat called Dragonfly. If you are a vegetarian or not, they've got the most delicious faux meat on the planet. A year ago we tested it on my little bro Walt, who is picky and carnivorous, but he flipped for the fake chicken!

  So after we all eat and undoubtedly make too much noise we are then gonna head over to Beard Papa for cream puffs and Billy's for cupcakes! We're actually gonna pile most of us in a minivan! It will be a riot! I hope to have some pics and stories to follow up with.

  I will also have some pics of my swap stuff which is finally gonna be in the hands of my patient partners, though I guess I'll hold off posting pics til I know they've all received them.

  Ok, lots to do. Take care everyone! xoxo Jenny

Silver Bella full throttle

 

Wow, I promise to get back on the ball. The culprit is Silver Bella! We've got stacks and stacks and stacks of stuff over here...folding tables dominating our living quarters, and every time I mention how many days til Silver Bella, Aaron sticks his fingers in his ears. He hates being reminded of deadlines!

But he's excited. I was going over my thoughts on the way our table should be set up on vendor night and Aaron says, "This makes me happy. Not many things make me truly happy... But when I think of people coming together, setting up tables, displaying their artwork for a select group of big fans...well, it's a good thing top to bottom."

And it is. In the past we've been through all the hoops and hurdles. We've worked for months and months only to discover that the art/craft show was completely under promoted. Those were nightmares...countless hours and dollars invested and nobody shows up! You sit there all day, eating whatever the snack vendor is offering and you say, 'I will never do a show like this again!'

But we know that Silver Bella is a whole different thing. Our anxiety is based on what a downright positive artistic retreat this will be, and if we'll be able to pull through with flying colors!...So bear with us as we prepare.

 

Quick update on my brother Jay. I didn't want to mention any medical specifics but I guess I can here. I only ask that you don't give me your assessments/diagnoses/ or opinions, because I'll internalize the info and go crazy...well, crazier ! Ok, we took him for a bone marrow test, which should be the 'be all, end all' of tests. I mean, how much more invasive can you get?! Anyway, the kid was terrified! He'd simply rather not! But we coaxed him and convinced him that it must be done...we need answers. And of course we don't have the answers yet! I think that when a doctor takes any type of sample out of you he then hands the samples to a courier who then boards a hot air balloon, which he flies around the world twice, then he brings it to the lab and then they'll call you with the results. Anyway, the test was not pleasant. Jay wanted me in the room with him so he could squeeze my hand but at the last minute the doc tossed me out. I'll leave the rest of the details out. I'll only say that it was very very painful for him during and for about two days after. So right now the hot air balloon is rounding the southern tip of Bali so results are soon to come! No, but really, I think end of this week or mid next week. I just want this kid to get better. I want there to be nothing grim in these test results. There are five of us Heid kids, me and my sis, and then three boys in a row. Jay is the middle boy and so much about him is middlechildesque. He looks up to his big bro and takes care of his little bro. He's the type of kid who, at ten years old, would come into the livingroom, unannounced, with a tray of like seven hot cocoas all topped with whipped cream, and hand each of us one. A true nurturer, and his job is proof enough. He's in the dietary department at a nursing home and teeny tiny little old ladies are constantly sending letters to my parents singing Jason's praises. He's witness to a lot of people in their last days and he's selfless enough to not let death scare him away from caring for people when they need it most. It takes a certain breed to work in that environment and Jay is that breed. So, that's all for now on Jay. You guys have been so great with your wishes and prayers and patience with me for not keeping up this blog!

 

 

 

Ok, now for the sweet stuff. I've mentioned my friend Natalea before (pronounced: natalie). Well, she walked into a candy shop up near Buffalo, NY  and get a load of the name of the place! Sweet Jenny's.

She thought of me but didn't just settle on telling me about it or at the most, grabbing a business card for me...nope, she bought stuff! And what's really great is that she wouldn't take just any assorted box...she asked the girl behind the counter to arrange the chocolates so that the ice cream cone appeared in the center! I do the same thing...I neeeed good presentation! Well the chocolates tasted as good as they look. We worked a long day and at about eight o'clock we were leaving to go get dinner. We were both about to faint from hunger so we scarfed down the whole box before we walked out the door. We were going mmmmmm, ohhhh, ahhhhhhh, mmmmmmm. If there had been a hidden camera trained on us it would be some embarrassing footage. Natalea is a doll and I cannot wait to meet her in person at Silver Bella!

 

 

 

How cuuuuute are these ornaments?! Wait, before I go on, let me get this off my chest...it has to do with the spelling of "cuuuuuuute". Do any of you guys have teenage daughters or teenage sisters? And if so, have you read any of their online conversations or comments on myspace? Well if you have, you might notice that young girls like to add letters to their words to show emphasis, just like I do. Only they do it like this "cuteeeeeeeeeeee" or "trueeeeeeeeeeee" or "I loveeeeeeeeeeeee it!"  Can't they see that they're getting it wrong? Correct the way you spell incorrectly young ladies. So if you have teen daughters or sisters please pass on this word to the wise. Ok, now these ornaments...they are just so darn awesome! They are made by my new friend  Sadie of Sadie Lou Who? over on Etsy. She calls them Betsy ornaments. The sequin hair is just so clever.  Little gleaming flappers batting their lashes at you. The faces are hand drawn on fabric and all of the tiny details are perfectly executed. I really look forward to putting them on the Christmas tree. Halloween rules but it's really only the opening band for the big day in December! Silver Bella is really gonna kick us into holiday high gear. We'll probably put up our tree by Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

 

 

Carole of Lulu Sparkles is a top notch jewelry maker. And it's more than just her craftsmanship. It's her selection of elements, tones, shapes, sizes. Everything is just so RIGHT. I have a growing collection of glittery goodness from this style maven and here are the newest gems. The earrings are just to die for and the Skater Girl necklace will be worn to every one of Walt's hockey games(my reason for selecting it). I'm gonna take more pics of her stuff so you can see all the excellent details. I LOVE everything Carole creates!!! Go have a peek at her shop..tell her Jenny sentcha!!

 

 

Ok, that's all for now. When I post in the day time I feel a bit like Mr. Rogers. Like I before I sit down to the computer I exchange my work clothes and work shoes for my comfy stuff and then I talk about and show off all the wonderful things life has to offer, and then at the end of the half hour I switch back into work clothes and walk out the door. Man, Mr. Rogers was so magic. The repetition was what was so comforting. I imagine a lot of kids out there never had the benefit of repetition in their lives and good ole Fred Rogers and Trolley were willing and able stand ins. Anyway, back to the piles of stuff that needs doing. Thanks! xoxo, Jenny

Where oh where are the chilly days of Fall??

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, we've never ever been so late with our Halloween stuff! I'm totally blaming the disgusting  New Jersey weather. It has been in the 80's and humid! It's just soooo wrong! We've got some new haunted designs in the works and I'm really praying for the 30 degree temp drop to come soon. I've got a couple of Halloween swaps that are late  so sorry partners!!. I am doing my very best to make your packages spooktacular! Anyway, I hope its full-on Fall wherever you live, and I hope our Halloween offerings move you even further into the spirit. I've been asked a bunch of times when I'd be listing some of these, so some of you you may be happy to hear that they are all available on Ebay as well Etsy. : )

 

Update on my little bro Jay...His numbers still aren't great and he needs another test. He's in good spirits otherwise, trying to eat heartily, getting sun and air and trying to sleep in as much as possible. He's taking shots of Noni, which smells bad and he says it tastes as bad as it smells. My little bro Walt does the Noni shots too in solidarity. Walt chews a piece of gum as a chaser to quickly kill the taste! The two of 'em are doing protein shakes, vitamins...the whole bit. It's makes me smile.  I want to thank everyone again, your thoughts and prayers mean so so so much!!! If you could keep them coming that would be the BEST!

 

I promise to focus more on the blog once we've got some things squared away. The countdown to Silver Bella has begun and we're neck deep in the preparations for that! More new stuff soon, promise! 

 

xoxo Jenny

At Last!

First, Thanks So so so Much! for all of your well wishes and prayers regarding my little brother. You guys have been golden and I really really believe that love goes a long way when someone is hurt or sick. Here's the update on Jay: He's out of the hospital, he's up and around, sometimes out and about, he's feeling almost normal but still is easily fatigued, he's in outpatient care and periodically returning to the doctor for bloodwork, and as far as we can tell, he's on the mend and not in immediate grave danger etc...
  The burning question is...what was or is the root of his illness? I won't get into any real medical specifics because I know I have my own "issues" with hearing about medical stuff and I don't want to expose any fellow "self diagnosers"  to symptom descriptions and information. Remember, I think Hugh Laurie is a highly talented laugh riot, but I run from the room if "House" is on the television. If I hear one mystery illness my imagination will run wild for days and I'll have to fiercely fend off the urge to google my imagined symptoms! The thing with sickness is that it's not exact. Every illness treats every person differently so doctors and their diagnoses can be vague, wishy washy and obtuse.  Anyway, Jay was very sick and at serious risk of infection because his resistance was so low. They kept him in the hospital wing that contained all of the patients who were at risk. Signs in bright colors hung outside each patient's room indicating the level of protection required and risk factors. When we visited Jay we had to wash up to our elbows and wear surgical masks before entering the curtained off part of his room. I was there with him a lot. Aar, came as much as possible but we needed him back home manning the base. Me and my family just stayed close to Jay all day everyday and hoped to fill his room with some happy spirit. What's great is that he's a kid who seriously benefits from positive reinforcement. You can see him light up when his friends and family arrive. He couldn't sleep so he'd try to get me, Missy, Walt, and Aaron to stay as late as possible, which was waaaaaay past visiting hours and the security guard Hated us as he'd unlock the front door of the hospital to let us out to the parking lot. We even watched movies on a laptop in Jay's room. Picture it, all lights out except for the glow of the laptop, one kid lying in bed, and the rest of us huddled around the movie in surgical masks. Hospitals and all the reasons for going there are nerve wracking. And I can't even watch House or ER on TV!! Now I was living inside the TV!
  Anyway, I want to thank you guys for your comments and emails. I read them before bed and before I left home in the morning and passed on all of your well wishes to Jay.
  Well now I'm getting back in the swing. We're catching up on some late work, SWAPS!!, and trying to tap into some fresh creativity. During the eternity that I've been missing from blogland I've been obliterated with amazing things via the mail. Long boxes, flat boxes, fat boxes, big and little boxes, waited patiently for me on the doorstep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm taking part in Kari Artsy Mama's Sweet & Sinister swap and I have 2 partners!....Kari, the illustrious hostess, and Laura of Katydid Designs. I'm featuring Laura's stuff in this post and Kari's in the next (like I said ...I'm just getting back in the swing, so taking pictures has been a chore with all the other catch-up work.) I have been officially blown away by Sweetness and Sinisterness! Everything looks like I own it or I want badly to own it! The handmade oil cloth tote is a fave...and the BOO moon is sooo up my alley! I know I say I love lots of stuff...but I really do love this stuff. So thrilled to be in this swap! Laura....you are too fab!! I adore everything!!

 

Ok, Cindy of Junque Art is a sweetheart! Outta the blue came this gift! She was out at a flea market and heard something calling my name. It was this little porcelain gal! I treasure her, what a sweet sweet gesture! I'm touched. Look at her there among her fabulous accoutrements! I can't begin to explain what a sight for sore eyes this little darlin was the day she arrived! Thank you SOOOO much cindy!!! I love her so much!!

(your goodies are coming very very soon)

 

You know what I realized many days after posting those amazingly sweet prize ribbons from Kimla two posts back?  I realized that I forgot to post one. The reason why is that I already had it hanging up in it's place and I guess it looked so at home among my decor that my eyes just passed right over it. Another reason is that I'm a space cadet sometimes. It's a new habit and it's upsetting. I used to be sharp as a tack and retained every bit of information that passed through my mind. Now I'll sit there like "ummmmm...uhhhhhh, I can't think of it.....what's it called? ...I can't remember.....how do I know you? where am I?? "  It's sad. Imagine... I left this one out. Well, maybe it's a good thing, because now I get to bring up Kimla again...and in my opinion, one cannot rave enough about Kimla's creations!

 

 

My Sister Missy (Melissa) came bearing gifts from Mexico! She went down there for a little R & R and brought back all this stuff! Some fake sweets and some real ones. I looove the bread. When me and Aar had a retail shop there was a Mexican bakery a few doors down and we ate these often while burning the midnight oil. I like Mexican stuff, very "Sweet & Sinister" and the imagery usually has some funny story behind it...some superstitious legend/old wives tale. Anyway, Missy also brought back a few bottles of tequila...the kind with the worm on bottom (sick!!!) . She bought them as  novelty gifts and sorta hoped that the recipients would use them as decor only! (ha ha!) Anyway, we picked her up at the airport and when she got in the car we were all almost asphyxiated by tequila fumes. A bottle had opened in her luggage and soaked through everything. It took the entire ride home to find the culprit bottle and once we found it we saw that it was completely empty and I think we were intoxicated on the vapors. I could imagine getting pulled over and trying to explain the odor wafting out of the car! Check out that super fun mural she found!!! Sooo up our alley!!! :)..ohh and that skull fabric is actually an apron!!!!..Perfect for some sweet and sinister baking huh??

 

 

 

 

 

 

My new friend Jenelle rules! She is of Sleepy Hollow Craft Co. and she has utterly Spoiled me! She's my partner in the Black Cat & Pumpkin Swap and I'm a bit overwhelmed by her package! I opened it up on a fairly gray day and I think the clouds parted. Look at all this stuff! She just opened an Etsy shop and her hands are capable of all this stuff! If that's not an endorsement I don't know what is! The bits & pieces shadow box is fall on the floor worthy...does Jenelle even know how much I looooove chubby little crows!? And the vintage die cuts are soooo coooool! I'm transported back to my first grade classroom! And ummmmm, the pink glittery Christmas house and the fun vintage cookbook! Just Too Much! really, I've had a rough couple of weeks and this package smoothed out some of the edges. Great eye, great hands, and great taste. Swaps rule!

Ok, I'll be back real soon! Again, thanks for your love for Jason! He's bolstered and facing the day with lots of positive energy. I have so much to catch up on and I have to get back to so many of you, please be patient with me!

xoxo, Jenny