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Snap-Shot Profile
February 29, 2008 in FriendshipI recently received a Survey from Tilda, one of our regular Blog readers. It's kind of 
a quick snap-shot of a person and I thought it would be fun to do. So, here goes:
10 Years Ago: It was certainly a bittersweet time for me. My now ex-husband and I separated after 20 years of marriage and at the same time my most well-known art character, Mummford, the penguin debuted in Mervyn's stores as a plush character and a store-wide program.
Things On My To-Do List Today: Design a Juvenile Fabric line for Jo-Ann's, write a blog (oh good, I'm doing that right now!), a session with the Chiropractor, stop at the grocery (seems that is on my list every other day), go online to shop for new Bar Stools for my kitchen counter, increase my time on the Treadmill from 35 to 45 minutes tonight!
What I Would Do If I Were Suddenly Made A Billionaire: Family and friends would receive generous gifts of homes and cars; I would donate big dollars to the Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation, I'd plan a couple vacations - starting with "chilling" for 2 weeks on a sandy beach at a Tropical destination, and then a month long tour of Italy, France and England (this would involve much wine and shopping too) Oh, and I'd have daily massages by a very handsome Masseur with strong hands!
3 Of My Bad Habits: I hate to get my mail (the postman is not pleased with me when my magazines pile up in my box); All my work areas are cluttered and messy; and I have a hard time throwing out old clothes. In fact there are more clothes in my closet that don't fit me than do fit me.
3 Places I've Lived: I'm a lifetime Washington state resident - Seattle, Yakima
and Spokane.
5 Jobs I've Had: In Seattle, I was a "Tray Girl" in the kitchen at the Foss Nursing Home, Switchboard Operator (one ringy-dingy) and Staffing Assistant at Virginia Mason Hospital. I worked retail and did "display" at two quilt shops (Fiddlesticks in Yakima, Quilting Bee in Spokane) before I started my business in 1986.
5 Things You Don't Know About Me: Hmmmmmm....I think you know a lot by now, but here goes:
1. Bunnie was my nickname as a child. 2. Celebrities that I've had crushes on are Robert Downey, Jr. (when on Ally McBeal), Ewan McGregor (in Moulin Rouge) and Orlando Bloom (in Pirates). It's always the EYES that get me.
3. I like listening to old Crooners Like Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.
4. I traveled around the US and Canada on a Greyhound Ameripass for 2 months when I was 19. 5. I like to shop and watch Chick Flicks. (Oh, maybe you knew that! Ha!)
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A.I. is back!
February 25, 2008 in Television
The void in my life is being filled again. The sad part of that is the void is being filled with Simon's cynicism and devilish grins, Randy's flip "street-talk," and Paula's mysterious analogies. But somehow, I'm still "hooked." At least when we're at the point in the show now where we get to watch people who can actually sing. (past
the painful auditions) Even though the judges make me crazy and the contestants are subjected to humiliation courtesy of Simon's whims -
I still watch - and now in High Def! You can read the pain on their faces when it's Simon's turn to pass judgment -
I get so nervous for them. And I actually yelled at Simon through my TV screen last week when he told the kid who got the boot that he shouldn't pursue a music career. Talk about kicking someone when they're down and then mak
e him sing through his devastation. I can imagine former contestants forming support groups for Post
Traumatic American Idol Syndrome. (a new disorder is in the making)
But the biggest contest in the world is back on and I once again am fulfilled on some level that was missing during the show's hiatus.
I haven't got all their names down yet and don't have all my favorites determined (it can change from week to week!) - but pretty soon they will be household names and will provide satisfying Watercooler fodder at the office.
I will say that the 17 year old kid named David charmed me with his first performance. Oh, and the hottie from Australia certainly got my attention.
Let the games begin!
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Pomegranate Cosmo Recipe
February 21, 2008 in Friendship, RecipesMary Ann from Oregon sent the following sweet little message:
LOVE YOUR BLOGGING DEBBIE..BUT PLEASE.....YOU LEFT OUT THE POMEGRANATE...COSMO RECIPE.....THANKS..WE CAN'T WAIT...and what fun you had..thanks for sharing..our slumber party....in June....we have done it..since we were 5...and now we are 60..hee hee...old friends are the best gifts we give ourselves..thanks...
Pomegranate Cosmo Martini (according to Debbie)
1 1/2 jigger Absolut Vodka
1 jigger Triple Sec
a few drops lime juice
approx 1/2 cup pomegranate/cranberry juice blend
Combine all ingredients and shake like crazy in a Martini shaker
Pour into extra large Martini glass
Add a wedge of lime and serve!
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Girl's Night Over
February 20, 2008 in Friendship
This last weekend I invited some of my best girlfriends over for a "Sleep Over" and what a blast it was. We made it easy and the menu was "All Appetizers-All Night Long" and Pomegranate Cosmos. And as you can imagine it was all about girltalk. Discussions were about kids, family, work, hair color, dream vacations, our good times and our struggles. The best part was the giggles, but the occasional tears were good to get out of our systems. Even though bedtime was 2:00am, with slightly blurry eyes, we bounced out of bed feeling lighter and happier after an evening of bonding, understanding and supporting each other. We picked up where we left off with more chatting over coffee and quiche. We all agreed that it is really great to take a break from the routine for an old-fashioned slumber party with just "the girls!" Plan one with your girlfriends and start looking forward to it now.
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Sunny California!
February 15, 2008 in TravelI just returned from a visit to sunny Anaheim,California where the afternoon temperatures were in the upper 70's!! It was heaven, shear heaven! And I couldn't have been more thrilled to get a break from our piles and piles of snow. I went down for CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Convention.
I was invited by the convention to do an interview and demo at the show.
Renee Sparks (an industry regular) was my interviewer. She was a real sweetie and there was enough ease between us that it almost felt like two friends having a conversation. One thing that made it feel just a little different from that was when I was surprised by much of the JoAnn's upper management (including the company's CEO!) sat in for my interview. So, I felt the pressure! I demoed a few projects that we made from our New and upcoming (oh, and very cute!) scrapbooking products. (Setting in store - mid April) These will show up on our website soon as a preview (hopefully next month).
It worked out well that many people and companies that we work with were also at the show - so we did lunches, breakfasts, dinners and coffee with several business associates. In between all that, we walked the show. More than half the exhibits were Scrapbooking and Papercrafts. There were lots of demo's and "make it & ta
ke it's" where ever you looked. We did a few of them along the way and saw lots of wonderful product and inspiration.
The last night we got Room Service and in our "jammies" we watched the movie, "Dan in Real Life" while we packed our suitcase. Easy flight home - but unfortunately, all the snow in Spokane hadn't melted while we were gone - but at least the thaw is well underway. Aside from that, I'm always happy to return home from any trip.
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Last minute! Valentine's Decorating & Gifts
February 13, 2008 in HolidaysQuick Decorating
- Gather your red, white, pink or glass vases together on the sideboard or entry table - put in a few tulip stems and sprinkle foil confetti around them
- Surround an ivory candle with red glass gems in a glass bowl
- Tie red ribbons around the throw pillows on the sofa
- Hang a wall basket on the front door filled with red silk flowers
- Cut out paper hearts with the kids to hang on a wire tree for the kitchen table centerpiece
- Use pinking shears to trim the edge of a red colored 36" square of fabric (no-sew!) for a Valentine spot of color on the table. Tie a ribbon around your rolled up napkins with a heart tag. Write "I love you" on the tags.
FUN Idea for a Family Valentine's Dinner
- Heart shaped pancakes with Strawberry syrup topped with a chocolate kiss
LAST Minute Valentine Gifts for Anyone
-Heart-Healthy Cookbook embellished with a Red spatula
-Book of Quotes - Book about building a stronger relationship or a Classic Romantic Novel with a custom made Bookmark. Write a special note on the bookmark like "Our Love Story is the greatest ever told," or "You always know how to read me."
- Start a scrapb
ook or photo album titled, "Ten things I love about you."
- Handpaint a flowerpot purple, embellish with heart stickers and coat with decoupage. Plant with a color coordinating purple primrose.
- (OR, a twenty dollar bill in a card works too - and most preferred by your poor college-aged son)
Happy Valentine's Day to You!
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Behind the Seams - Getting Glamorous!
February 7, 2008 in Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft StoresI was recently in Ohio doing a photo shoot for an upcoming JoAnn's flyer. I thought you might be curious about how that all goes.
JoAnn’s Marketing team starts out with a very specific sketch (and plan) for the photo. They pass it around to all the marketing management teams at JoAnn's to get all around approval. They send it to me with a variety of wardrobe and color requests. Now at this point I'm usually "required" to go shopping to find suitable choices - because I certainly don't want to wear something that’s already hanging in my closet!
I pack a huge suitcase full of options (new and old) and head to Columbus. What a nice little city that is! I go to a Retail Marketing company called Kreber. They have a great big photo studio there and have everything ready to go when I arrive. I meet with a wardrobe stylist and we review the options that I brought with me and then the Creative Director makes his favorite choices. Next is make-up and hair. That is the best! When I do photos in Spokane, I typically do my own hair and make-up so you feel very glamorous and special when someone does it for you. Plus, they put a LOT more make-up on than I do. Everytime I catch my reflection in the mirror, I double-take because I think I see Angelina Jolie - Ha! (LOL - I wish!)
This all somehow manages to take a couple hours before I head over to the set. (Oh, they iron your clothes too - nice, huh?) At that point you can't sip coffee or dip into the snacks like everyone else is. You've got to preserve the lipstick and avoid things in your teeth. (That's just a little tip for your next photo session :-)
They take many, many shots and constantly move little things around, adjust the lighting and tell me to tilt my head this way, then that way. Oh, and "Smile Pretty!" 'til your cheek bones hurt. Every few minutes - someone fusses with the collar on my jacket, pulls my sleeve every which way, glosses my lips, powders down my shine or tries to control a few hairs that have gone awry.
Most of the time is in prep - and once the shoot starts it doesn't take too long. It's kind of like preparing Thanksgiving Dinner - everyone works a lot to plan and prepare - but once everyone sits down - it seems to be over in an instant. See the final result in the upcoming JoAnn circular due out in mid March - and when you see it, "Smile Pretty!"
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Quote of the Month
February 4, 2008 in Creativity, Friendship, Quotes
Happy February! January as I mentioned was a killer month here in Spokane with our crazy snow and weather. 
So, February (so far, sans snow) was a welcomed change. And what better way to greet the new month than with a new “Quote of the Month” courtesy of Kris Clifford. It’s the LOVE month and for all that means to us. If we can approach our friends, family, co-workers, strangers and particularly ourselves with love (and maybe a touch more patience too) – it really can open the way to more happiness and ease in our lives. 
Thank you Kris for this reminder in the quote you brought to our attention this month.
Love, Debbie
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Baby Kate's 1st Birthday
February 1, 2008 in Friendship
First birthday's are such an amazing event. To think that a year before the baby was just coming into the world (thank goodness I wasn't delivering) and you didn't even know what this little one would be like. 
Which parent would she look most like, would she be just like her sister or a complete opposite? Would she be fussy or easy; would she have dark hair (like Dad) or blonde hair (like Mom)? Over the first year you really get to know their personality - and I must say that baby Kate (Lena's little sis) is one of the easiest going babies that I've ever met. We just celebrated her first birthday and she was calm and delightful and all that surrounded her couldn't have felt more proud of the beautiful little being she is.
Happy Birthday Kate!
