The Knobs have (at Last) Arrived!

(I was going to title this “Knobs Landing” after the great 80s soap opera but thought the reference might be too obscure)

You may recall I got all excited about making my own knobs a while ago when I made this little project for Angelo HOME.

I really enjoyed making them so I started playing around and made these samples.

I had just used random knobs I had lying around (an odd reality of my life)

The response was great!  People started asking where they could buy them.  I was onto something!

So, eager to get going, I went online and ordered a bunch of knobs.

And that’s when the knob-train went off the rails.

So, in the hopes that you will all learn from my errors I offer the following tips for when you next order mass quantities of knobs online.

Tip One:  Egads!  Foreigners!

Did you know there are people who live outside of the United States!?

And were you aware that those people make stuff!?

Apparently I was not.  Because I didn’t realize, until long after I placed the order and requested standard, slow-boat, ground shipping that I was, in fact, dealing with Canadians.

CANADIANS!!!!

Now, I don’t want to say that they were being secretive about their….. Canadianness  but they weren’t exactly shouting about it either.  There was no big “made in Canada” banner.  Nowhere did they suggest that the knobs would be great in my“hoose.”   (I love Canada and have many Canadian friends but we must be honest here, you say “house” wrong.  And now I, a proud Ohioan will go outside and warsh my car.  Be right back)

OK, totally my bad.  Not their fault.

Tip Two:  You Might Want To Read Your Invoice

They emailed me my invoice right after I purchased.

Naturally, I thought:  “great.  I’ll totally ignore that!”

Unfortunately, by ignoring it I missed the note that gently proclaimed  “these items are not in stock and will be shipped when they are back in stock”

Tip Three:  If you don’t read your invoice and you don’t get a shipping notice you probably shouldn’t bank on making the product any time soon.

I made plans to display my new knob creations at two upcoming shows.  Told people who asked that the knobs were going to be available soon!

After waiting an appropriate amount of time for my order to arrive (albeit if it was coming from within the US and actually in stock) it dawned on me that I’d never gotten a shipping notice.  And that’s when I discovered the horrible truth:  CANADIANS!!!!!  OUT OF STOCK!!!!!!

OK. Still my bad.  I admit it.

So I waited.

…….for a month.

Tip Four:  Passive-Aggressive Revenge Fantasies  Will (Surprisingly)  Not  Solve the Problem

I was very happy when I got the “your knobs have arrived” email but rather than politely asking that, since I’d been waiting a month could they please upgrade my shipping I relied on the much more effective passive-aggressive-fantasy-plan.  I wouldn’t ask for speedy shipping.  No!  That would be an amateur move!  I would instead, in my mind, prepare a blistering online review wherein I would complain bitterly that they hadn’t even upgraded my shipping!!!!!!! Then they’d be sorry!

…….So, after 12 more days of traveling my knobs arrived.

And my evil  Canadian overlords gained points for two things.

1)      They love donuts!!  The knobs arrived in rather large Tim Horton’s box!!!!!  How can you be upset with people who order large amounts of donuts!?

2)      The knobs are beautiful!  Solid, lovely, well made and perfect.

I cannot wait to get started.

Ipad Mini Giveaway via Mod Podge Rocks!

The amazing and generous Amy of Mod Podge Rocks is giving away an ipad mini! If you haven’t been there already head on over and check it out!

I Think My Parents May Be Trying to Tell Me Something

I have been in full factory mode lately:  sawing sanding and drilling in hopes that this will make it super easy to assemble some coaster, candlebock or subway sign on short notice.

In short what I’m saying is that if you are here looking for some clever new idea or potential Pinterest eye candy this may not be the blog post for you.

Cheltenham Road’s First Window Display

What a week!

The Stores

I’ve been running in a lot of directions of late and feeling a bit frustrated and stressed.   But as I struggled to get some focus today and write a blog post I realized that what I really want to do right now is take a moment to appreciate my good fortune.

I’ve been very lucky to meet and work with some terrific people as I’ve tried to grow this business.

Le Brad Nailer est Mort!

YAY!  My brad nailer broke!

The timing was IDEAL! – I was on a deadline to get something out and really needed the nailer to finish.

Do I sound sarcastic?  I assure you  I’m being quite sincere because, although I know it’s wrong to hate, I truly HATE(ed) my brad nailer.

Getting Stuff Done

Ever have one of those weekends when you’re so busy getting things done that you can’t get anything done?

I spent my time running around trying to get the “finishing touches” done on the Pantry remodel.  “Finish Touches” is in quotes because was supposed to be a super easy re-paint project and I’ve turned it into a Million Pieces project and I keep thinking I’m almost done and then discovering I’ve forgotten something that will require more futzing.  But I’m almost there…..

Vamping!

Happy 2013 everyone!

I took a little post-holiday pause.  I didn’t actually mean it to be as long a pause as it turned out to be…..basically, I just didn’t want to make anything for a little while.  I was made-out.

But, I’m slowly getting back into the swing (I have to – I have orders due).  However I’m a little bit between-projects so I thought I’d do a review of my more popular posts from 2012 (otherwise known as “vamping).

My Paint Chip Calendar made a lot of people’s “to do” list – including the way cool folks over in England at The Money Saving Expert who made it one of their Top Three Festive Fivers!And everyone seemed  relieved when I finally got my workroom all finished .  So far it’s working out great and I have a few modification ideas in mind for 2013.

My tutorial about how to build some craft show display towers seemed to make people laugh at me strike a chord with my fellow craft show participants.My, You’ve Got Mail,  Post-Card Dresser proved to be a popular idea and made the most “pinned” project I’ve done to date.   Now….if someone would just buy it (it’s sitting in my dining room).

And my Paris themed coffee table makeover seemed to put people in a Continental state of mind.And finally, we briefly interrupt this blog for a moment of sincerity.

I just want to say thank you so much to all of you (and especially my family) who read, comment, pin and link up here.

It can get a bit lonely sitting around the house making stuff and I’m so appreciative of the community we’ve developed.  Your comments crack me up and your kind words about my various endeavors really keep me going!  Thank you very, very much.

OK, onward into 2013!

The Annual Holiday Dessert Party!

Well, I realize it’s a bit late in the season to be sharing this but I promised pictures from my annual Holiday Dessert Party so…..better late than never.

Actually, I was going to pretend I had forgotten.

You see, I had managed to snap a few pre-party pics of the kitchen as it was being set up.Some bows on the doors (and idea I have totally stolen from my sister Paula who throws her own Holiday extravaganza) set a festive sort of feel I thought.

And I saw this fun idea in a magazine.  They suggested printing out a couple of drink recipes for guest to mix their own holiday cocktail.  This made sense to me as, several years ago, I decided that everyone would enjoy chocolate martinis…… and spent my ENTIRE evening making them….over and over again…..

So the kitchen was looking good and I was feeling positive.  And then, as always, I recognized the enormity of work I still had to do and the camera got put away never to emerge again.

Well, sort of.

My good friend Christine, when she heard there were no photos grabbed my camera and did her best mid-party picture snapping.

The problem, of course, is that the lights are dim so all these shots look a bit like we were partying in a vaguely festive cave but I assure you all was sparkly and inviting looking.It’s a dessert party (because that’s all I ever want to eat) so we had:

My mom’s famous decorated sugar cookies in numerous iterations.

 

For me, these cookies ARE Christmas.  I remember my mom sitting at the dining room table with hundreds of these spread out before her ready to decorate.

Of course, since this is my party, there were pies!  And lots of them!

Little, individual chocolate peanut butter pies:

Frost on the pumpkin pie (graham cracker crust, whipped pumpkin mousse, cinnamon spiced whipped cream)

Individual Cherry Pies (gone before a picture could be taken – which is a good sign I think)

Caramel Apple Pie Pops

And

Brownie Shots (dark chocolate brownie, chocolate chip cookie dough topped with Baileys spiced whipped cream)

In addition there were Khalua Balls, Mini Cheese Cakes, Red Velvet Cake Pops, Vanilla Cake Pops, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Coconut Dream Layer Bars and Cinnmon stars and Peppermint Patty Cookies…there were more but I’ve forgotten….

In short – everyone left in a sugar coma and all was right with the world!

……..and now it’s on to planning for next year (and stealing more ideas from my sister).

Up Close and Personal – New Pictures

In my mid-twenties I was in a terrific production of George Bernard Shaw’s comic play Misalliance.  We played to large, enthusiastic crowds in a nice but not huge theatre (700 seats).

It’s set around 1918 and I played “Joey” a British aviator.  It was a great, funny part – I got the girl in the end and got to deploy my British accent.  Other than the accent it required no further alterations – I wore basic make-up – just enough so I didn’t wash out under the lights.  No fake mustaches, no wigs, nothing special.

One day after the show I, along with several other members of the cast, now in street clothes, were outside chatting when an audience member came up gushing about how much she loved the show.  She turned to each actor and complimented them specifically (even the guy who wore old-man make-up, a wig and fake beard but was now in jeans).

At last she turned to me and I prepared myself for the wave of praise that was coming my way.

She looked at me and said -

“Were you in the play?”

Um, yes, I played Joey, the aviator.

“Oh?” …she looked at me closely and I saw it all connect in her eyes and I again, prepped myself for praise.

“Oh!  You’re much better looking from far away.”

In the ensuing years I’ve come up with several responses to that statement but in that moment I had none.

So when my agent recently requested new photos I thought “I wonder how far away from the camera I could get?”

OK, actually I wondered if I could get a two-fer.  Some shots for acting and one to use here that would make my blog feel more personal and welcoming.

Now, actor headshots are supposed to make you look like potential characters (lawyer, doctor, guy next door) without locking you into anything too specific.  So they aren’t totally ideal for this dual purpose but I’m wondering if you folks think one of these could serve here too.

We have Option A which I call “Trust me, I’m a lawyer”Option B which I call “Trust me I’m a lawyer heading to my yacht”or Option C which I call “I just rolled out of bed and why are you looking at me like that?”What do you think?  Do any of these also say “listen to me!  I know about Mod Podge!”