Thursday, February 21, 2013

Tip Of The Day - # 2 How To Keep Your Husband From Touching Your Goodies


Tip Of The Day - # 2  

How To Keep Your Husband From Touching Your Goodies



OK...my husband and I have always had this unspoken pact...he or she who has their own private goodies DOES NOT TOUCH the other ones goodies unless permission is given. I personally have had no problem with this for 30+ years of marriage. HOWEVER  my darling husband (dh) does have a major problem hmmm...shall we say with keeping his hands off my candy,
 special treats even Weight Watchers snacks.

The man is a virtual vacuum cleaner when it comes to having eye contact then mouth contact with anything that appears edible....well almost everything as I will explain below. I can save a treat for 
weeks and even months...my husband cant stand knowing that something yummy is in the house. He reasons that it must be for him if it is still there after 24 hours. I don't mind sharing if he asks....but blatant snatching my goodies just isn't right.

I read on Pinterest a few weeks back about how to hide these segregated treats from the temptation of others.....very very simple ...geesh, why didn't I think of this wonderful albeit brilliant idea... take an empty Kotex or tampon box .....insert goodies inside & hide in closet....NO MAN that I know
 of would even think of opening that box ..lol.  Now don't get over zealous and hide the box in the kitchen cupboard...even the simplest of men might figure this one out...lol.

Now my contribution to this idea is how to hide frozen treats...hee hee hee...I feel so n
I will eat frozen baby brussel sprouts. Well....you know where I am going with this one...empty the bag of brussel sprouts, wash out the bag and insert frozen treats with a clip holding it shut...this is one of the 
only foods my man will not eat....ha ha ha.

OK I do have to admit I did kind of steal or I would say indulged in one of his treats...geesh, ladies will understand this ...I found a Hershey candy bar in a drawer and yes I knew it wasn't mine. I started out with one square, then 2 and all at once the entire bar was gone...yes, this was the BIG candy bar....I think his Godchild gave it to him one Easter. I have a very good excuse though...it was a bad day...appliance problems, mother problems, sister problems, hair problems etc ....I needed a quick fix & scrounged the kitchen for anything...so I devoured the candy bar.. To this day he has
never mentioned the missing candy bar....
so I am safe for now.

Yours in a whimsey,

MADAME Whimsey

AKA

Karen A. Meer

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Victorian Fancies For My Lady ~ # 2

 I present to you my second set of slippers.....

   * Victorian Fancies for My Lady  #2 *

~ Slippers C & D ~




Slipper C - "Queen Of Hearts"

Slipper insole is a red & white strip cotton featuring an antique German scrap of 3 pups and a Victorian calling card  tucked into the toecap.  The toe cap is a dark red crushed 
velvet with satin band, antique china doll head with crown, vintage heart 
shaped brooch with stones and faux pearls....a tiny Queen
 of Hearts playing card nestles behind the doll head. 

Tissue paper pink with red hearts ruffle, antique scallop French lace and 
a gold Dresden diecut complete the adornment
 on the toecap. 

Outsole (part that touches the ground) & heel are black velvet. The edging 
is antique tinsel roping with French metallic trim.

A bit of cotton is tucked inside toecap for shaping.
77.5 inches w/o hanger

$ 52.00

~

Slipper D - "Amelia's Lark"
Slipper insole is purplish blue velvet with a antique German scrap of a lovely lass.  The toe cap is antique French lace with rhinestone bauble, velvet millinery flowers, silk cream 
ruffle, dark red crepe paper ruffle and an antique German flower scrap. 

Outsole of slipper & heel are cream with a gold French design. 
The edging is French metallic trim.

A bit of cotton is tucked inside toecap for shaping.
7.75 inches w/o hanger

$ 38.00


~ Outsoles AKA bottoms of slippers ~

I take Paypal, money order or even personal check.....a small amount for shipping is added as well. 
Any questions or if you wish a custom designed slipper ..

Email - meer2@execpc.com

Yours in a whimsey, MADAME Whimsey

AKA

Karen A. Meer

Monday, February 11, 2013

Lesson For The Week # 1 Anatomy of A Shoe or Slipper



 ~ Lesson For The Week ~

I always loved learning...when I was younger and very bored at home I would pull 
out a book..not just any book but an encyclopedia ....I spent hours 
laying in front of the heater reading about the world and beyond. 
I never told my husband I did this as he cant get over the fact
 I always beat him at Trivial Pursuit...lol

I love Discovery, HG TV, Travel, A&E, NatGeo, History Channel and the
 internet...all great resources  that taught me about the rest of the world 
& beyond that I somehow missed in the encyclopedias....

Anyway I have learned some interesting things during my past  
as an art teacher, a wife, an aunt, a house slave, an artist, antique dealer, 
tv watcher and sex ed teacher...but that is a whole other story.
I decided to share these lessons with you....
~

Lesson # 1

 ~ Anatomy of A Shoe or Slipper ~

I only recently came across this lesson while designing my own altered art slippers...
called Victorian Fancies For My Lady. I wasn't sure what to call the
bottom and top part of the slipper..I knew one was the 
sole but which was which ?

I found out that there are different parts to the sole which is a generic term 
for both of those areas ....
yes, I know you are now quite captivated !

 This lesson is perfect for the shoe collector & shoe maker even 
those with a shoe fetish....such as my mother...


Sunday, February 10, 2013

Victorian Fancies for My Lady ~ # 1

A few years back I was lucky to go to Paris for a summer and shared a Paris apt with my good friend Jane. She went to study at the Sorbonne and I got to play...at the flea markets. We both knew that I got the better end of the deal. I found treasures galore.....french lace, ribbon, trims, velvet, charms, scraps, millinery flowers, silk fabrics, dolls & clothing. I have been hoarding these items waiting for the right creation.... thus my Victorian Fancies for My Lady started to tickle my brain cells.

I love Victorian....the houses ( live in one..lol), the toys, the ephemera, the furniture and decor, the mannerisms, the clothing, the fripperies to name a few and of course the footwear. I created some Victorian slippers ...I had a ball making these ..in fact I contemplated keeping them..all of them..lol. My home showcases several feather trees with themes ...most of them are up all year long. They bring me joy during those days I need a bit of whimsey in my life. A white feather tree covered with Victorian slippers would be a lot of fun especially for my bedroom.

I decided to make 13 slippers ..and I could keep ONE for myself. I created them with both front and back covered with either paper or cloth…..a heel is added for a dimensional view. The edges are covered in assorted trims or tinsel roping. The front features an antique scrap from my extension collection. From there I added the covering for the toes with antique lace, silk or velvet. I tuck in a bit of cotton into the toe…then the fun begins…ornamentation with ribbons, jewels, vintage crepe paper, velvet flowers, Dresden pieces and a few slippers with antique bisque dolls. The length of the slipper is around 7.5 inches long without the hanger. Hangers can be removed with a scissors...I just like to give options.

A few ideas - pinkeeps, eye glass case, wall décor, hostess or Mothers Day gift, candy container, jewelry or perfume bottle holder, potpourri, party favor, display under glass dome or Valentine for a friend, sister, mother, favorite aunt or teacher !

Thus I present to you my first two slippers.....

   * Victorian Fancies for My Lady *

~ Slippers A & B ~



Slipper A - "Sophie's Choice"

Slipper insole is a dark rose antique velvet from an old scarf.  The toe cap is
 French lace with a silk liner adorned with  
velvet flowers, antique scrap,  German metallic edging, silk bud with petals - 
taken from an antique Flapper hat. 
Outsole (part that touches the ground) & heel are paper
7.5 inches w/o hanger

$ 38.00

~

Slipper B - "Sasha's Delight"
Slipper insole is paper with black lace design. The toe cap is antique black floral lace 
adorned with an antique German 
girl scrap, velvet ribbon edging & frontal bow with a
 rhinestone star, vintage pink crepe paper 
fan with polka dot insert.
Outsole of slipper & heel are vintage black velvet.
7.5 inches w/o hanger

$ 38.00


~ Outsoles AKA bottoms of slippers ~

I take Paypal, money order or even personal check.....a small amount for shipping is added as well. 
Any questions or if you wish a custom designed slipper ..

Email - meer2@execpc.com

Yours in a whimsey, MADAME Whimsey

AKA

Karen A. Meer

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Tip Of The Day - Tip #1 Put Your Phone Number On Your Bra

OK.....I decided to start my official Tip Of The Day...I may not be able to post EVERY DAY but will try to do so a few times each week.





TIP # 1 - Put Your Phone Number On Your Bra

I decided to dye my hair today, yes, I know you thought these lovely red-purple spikes were my natural color but underneath lies some pretty persistent grey hairs. All was OK when I turned on the electric heater in the worlds tiniest bathroom (Vict. home here, bathroom is the size of a matchbox). I removed my top and bra & laid them carefully on the edge of the bathtub which unfortunately is right next to the toilet.

I proceeded to apply the dye and was satisfied with the application. I decided during the 40 minutes of wait time for the dye to do its job that I would make a pot of bean soup. All the ingredients were added to the large pot and I felt very smug with myself for multitasking ...so I opted for a cup of coffee thus placing the cup in the microwave. The refrigerator then started up at the exact same time the microwave kicked on ..... the microwave, the refrigerator and ALL the lights went out including the bathroom & kitchen as well. I was motionless for 20 seconds and then stumbled around for a flashlight. I decided NOT to go down in our dark dungeon 108 year old basement to flip the breaker back on as unfortunately those lights were out as well ....plus there are way too many spiders, perhaps a mouse or two and I truly feel a space alien might be lurking in one of the back corners (childhood fear).

My darling husband of course was at work so the flashlight would be my guide in the darkness of the kitchen/bathroom. I went into the well lit dining room and noticed on the clock that my 40 minute deadline for dye removal was approaching. I went back into the worlds tiniest very dark bathroom and using the flashlight managed to push my top & bra farther down the tub edge. I turned on the bathtub faucet and rinsed my hair thoroughly ..again I felt quite smug with myself.

As with most ladies after a cup of lukewarm coffee it was time to pee...I managed to do so in the dark and of course flushed the toilet, washed my hands & grabbed my top and bra off the side of the tub. I went back into the well lit dining room to redress or so I thought. All I had in my hand was my top. I stumbled back into the bathroom scrambling for the flashlight ....NO BRA WAS FOUND.

OK... naughty swear words here.....%$#$%)@#%$% !  

I can only imagine when the local sewer company comes across my bra floating in the cesspool...good grief I hope my floating bra isn't downloaded on You Tube or listed on the "look what this crazy woman did" website as a few of my friends are there now....heck, I even contemplated a ''LOST" poster but the neighbors think I am nutty enough as it is.

Darn, it was my lucky bra ....I guess now I have to call it my unlucky bra.

So my tip of the day is print your phone number on your bra or even your email address....you could get lucky and get it back !

Yours in a whimsey, MADAME Whimsey

PS The soup was yummy....I even put a small bowl by the basement stairs ...it was gone an hour later....the bowl as well.....hmmm, I TOLD YOU THERE WERE SPACE ALIENS IN THE BASEMENT !