Jennifer's Junky Life ~

Whimsical Junk :: Junk Shop Update!

After being closed for just over month, I've reopened the junk shop.

I'm feeling much better than I did a few weeks ago and nearing the end of my first trimester. I'm at thirteen weeks now. Although I still have days here and there, like yesterday and today, where I'm feeling nauseous in spite of the anti-nausea drugs I'm still taking. But I can't complain! This is nothing compared to what it was. :)

I'm starting to feel like I have a little bit more energy, too, although a nap would feel great if I could get one every day! Here is hoping things continue to improve over the coming weeks.

I'd love to do a shop update this fall -- but I had hoped to get to one this summer and even took a bunch of photos but I never got my summer stuff listed -- so I'm taking this one day at a time. No promises. Just something I'm hoping to get to. I still have a lot of stuff from the craft show from this summer to photograph and list.

It's a gorgeous fall day, after a rainy fall morning. I'm loving this weather even if I haven't spent a whole lot of time outside. I'd love to get the camera out and take some pictures of the fall foliage before it's all gone.

I can't believe how fast our maples are losing their beautiful leaves!

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P.S. Picasa help -- I put an S.O.S. out on Facebook... I've tried multiple things, including a tip from a blog reader (thank you!), and spent a couple of hours this afternoon trying to figure out how to get my photos back into Picasa so I can start posting photos on my blog again, to no avail. (They disappeared a couple of months ago but are still on my computer.) I even uninstalled Picasa, shut down my PC, and reinstalled it.

I'm able to get a folder of photos into Picasa but then they all disappear after I close out of it again. When I reopen Picasa, sometimes all of the folders that I'd attempted to put in show up but then the little bar on the right-hand side starts running with all the photos (like when you're importing them) and those folders all disappear. I can't figure it out and I'm giving up for the time being. I spent some time in Picasa's help section but haven't found a solution. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it!

Please excuse my absence... I got lost on Pinterest.

A basic tutorial on using Pinterest.

Have you signed up for Pinterest yet? It's such a cool place to hang out and I can't believe that no one thought of this years ago! It's basically a place to photo bookmark all of your inspiration. Whether it's recipes, crafting, weddings, yoga, home decor, art, music, junk or whatever else you're in to.

Source via Pinterest.

I joined up a week or so ago and it was a little confusing at first but trust me, it's well worth figuring out. And, one quick note, there are still a lot of glitches and hiccups on the site. It freezes up a lot and you get error messages when trying to 'Pin' (save) photos and often have to try again.

I got an invite from a friend -- that seems to be the fastest way to get in. Otherwise, you can go to the site and request access. Once you get in, you can search for anything in the search box or browse through your friends' 'boards' (photos). Then all you have to do is click on 'Repin' in the top left-hand corner of any photo to 'pin' (save) the photo to a 'board' (basically a category that you create for each of your photos on your account, think inspiration board).

Source via Pinterest.

When you hit 'Repin', you then choose a category (that you already created) or make a new one, in the first box. Then you have the option to type in a little description -- or when I don't feel like doing words, I just type in a '.' or a '♥' because you have to put something.

Source via Pinterest.

You can also 'Pin' new photos to your boards from your favorite websites. All you have to do is go to the site, open up the particular post that you want to save a photo from (i.e. a tutorial you want to link to), copy the url for the post. Go to the top right-hand corner of your account on Pinterest and click on 'Add' then 'Add a Pin'. Paste the Url address in the first box. Choose or create your category in the second box. And type in your description in the third box. Then click on the arrows below the photo on the left until you get the photo you want. Then hit 'Pin it'. (You also have the option to check a box at the bottom to share your 'Pin' on Facebook if you'd like.)

Source via Pinterest.

Another cool feature is that you can follow all or some of the boards of other people. So, say you come across someone that has a great board on home decor but they have another one on antique cars but you don't care as much about that one, you can choose to only follow the board on home decor. You can follow or unfollow any boards at any time.

One thing I haven't quite figured out yet is how you find other people on there. Some of my favorite bloggers I've been able to find via other people's lists of people that they're 'following' (listed above their profile photo). But I can't figure out how to search for someone because when you put a name in the search box, it either brings up their work/art or nothing at all from them (yet I've found them by the previously mentioned route).

Source via Pinterest.

I love having all of my inspiration in one spot as opposed to a bunch of separate bookmarks (like they are on Delicious). It's so fantastic to go to one of your boards and see all of the photos that inspire you in one spot. Check it out, I'm sure you'll love it too!

Source via Pinterest.

On a quick personal note, I haven't been able to spray paint as much in the past week due to the crappy weather. But I've been bustling through my house on a purging/organizing streak. (I'm pretty sure that will be the endless anthem around here.) My loft has never been put together completely since I did a big purge last year (hence the lack of photos of it) but I finally have a set of retro metal cupboards that I picked up garage saling last week that I'll be able to put up there so I can finally put stuff away! They're white and in great but somewhat junky shape but once I scrub them down, I'll line the shelves with pretty paper or fabric and use them as is. Some day, maybe I'll get around to painting the exteriors but the storage solution is more important right now.

The craft show is in three weeks and I still have a ton of stuff I want to do for it! -- time to hit crunch mode as soon as I pull the loft together a bit. I'm planning to hit up three estates sales tomorrow -- crossing my fingers that I'll find some more dressers, cupboards or lockers for storage around here. I get to go sans kids (super excited about that!!).

The Games People Play

I love Christmas time. It's a special time for reconnecting, visiting, and playing games. For many years in a row, we were on a Speed Scrabble kick at my family's. Then it fizzled out and we haven't played it for a couple of years. I love Speed Scrabble. And, in fact, I'm not sure if I've ever actually played the original Scrabble game. (Below, Gretchen, Danny, and Brett.)

This year, we played Outburst Remix and Guesstures (both, electronic editions). Guesstures is such a blast, especially when my brother Danny's up. It's amazing how many of the words he knows how to act out and he's hilarious to watch! Gretchen had to monitor his words because he wouldn't always get them right...

He had 'communion' during one turn and kept standing in place, repeatedly opening and closing his mouth. (Not unlike a fish.)

He thought the word was 'communication'. We got a laugh out of that one!

Below: l to r, Jean and Molly (front left corner of photo). Paul and Mark behind Kaitlin on the couch. Heidi, Gretchen and Danny.

It's so fun when everyone plays, even my mom and dad. My mom worked a bit this time when we were home (she got a new job this past year), so I feel like we missed her a lot this Christmas.

My family draws names every year for a gift exchange. This year, the girls and mom exchanged handmade gifts. It was so much fun to finally do that! I made a little aqua and white pom pom garland for my sister Emily out of white vintage seam binding, an aqua vintage dinner napkin and embroidery floss. I'm hoping it doesn't fall apart(!) as it was my first pom pom garland. (I forgot to take a picture of it.) My mom had my name and made me a cute oatmeal colored slouchy beret. I love it and have been wearing it almost every day. My mom got a really pretty patchwork blanket throw from my sister Sara. My sister Sara got a chocolate brown fleece blanket in a pretty print from my sister Molly. Amanda got a hook board (for hanging things) from Emily. It's really cute with patterned paper on the back and silver hooks. Heidi got a pretty pin cushion and wrist band pin cushion from Amanda. Kaitlin got an assortment of cute button magnets and flower magnets from Gretchen. Gretchen got a cute green vintage apron that Heidi had upcycled and modified to fit her. And Molly got the most adorable hand sewn felt turquoise dolphin from Kaitlin (who needs to start putting things on Etsy!). (Our sister-in-law and our youngest sister didn't participate this year -- but hopefully they will next year!) I wish I had pictures of everything.

The boys and my dad exchanged gifts, too, but not handmade. Danny wanted Brett's name SO bad before Amanda drew names. And he got lucky! (Here he is (above) so proudly waiting as Brett (below) was opening his gift.)

My mom decided it would be more fun to let him pick out whatever he wanted for Brett... He just knew that Brett needed a Detroit Lions' fan mask in the worst way. And when he had money left over, he knew Brett would just love the baseball pop can holder he found while waiting in line at the check out. He was one proud kid when Brett went to open that gift, let me tell you.

Brett was just bursting with enthusiasm which made him all the more proud of the awesome gift he'd found. What a riot! (Below, Carter wanted a shot at that super cool mask. He and Abram thought it was the coolest thing ever, right up there with Danny.)

Brett all set for the next Lions' game.

I didn't take very many pictures when I was home. Only 369, and although that may sound like a lot, it's really not. Many are the same ones, trying to get the right shot. And many of them are flash photos or when I didn't use the flash, they're fuzzy. Someday I'll read the manual...once I figure out why my printer won't print. It's on my computer and I need to print it out. (Below, Papa Freddy with Kendall. She's such a doll.)

Printer tech stuff: My printer quit working before Christmas. Ironically, right after I reloaded it with a refilled ink cartridge. Mark thinks the cartridge affected it...I'm not so sure because it printed once or twice right after I loaded it and then quit. It's as if there is no 'connection' between the pc and printer. The power works on the printer but everything stays in the queue when we print. And when I open the cover of the printer, I don't get the usual message on my pc stating it's open. I took the ink cartridges out and put them back in and I don't get the standard message asking me to realign the printer. (And I get those message every time, normally.)

We tried a new cable but still nothing so we returned the cable. I downloaded all new drivers and updated all of the software...still nothing. If anyone has any suggestions to try, I'd be grateful! I'm hoping to figure it out soon so I can start doing my postage at home again for The Junk Shop!

Saveur

I want this magazine so badly, I can almost taste it. I've been wanting it for about a year. But Dave won't let me purchase it right now...

And, that's why I'm so disappointed I missed out on this! (I'd never heard of La Cucina Italiana before but now I want that one, too.)

 

So, if anyone ever sees a really awesome deal on Saveur again, let me know. :) I will be ever grateful. Thanks to Rebecca I was able to purchase a four year subscription (36 issues) for $15.99 on Ebay. After I ordered, I saw another for $14.97 for 36 issues (4 years), if you're interested.

(Photo courtesy of SAVEUR.)

Snagging a side button

Anyone know how to snag a side button from someone's blog (i.e. Tif's--for the Thrifty Challenge) for Typepad?

I don't know much about computers, other than how to type! And I can't figure out how to add a picture in my sidebar that links to someone's blog...

eta: I've tried copying and pasting the link into a 'Typelist' but only the link shows up and not the image (as you can see in my left-hand sidebar). I know I figured it out one time before but it's been months and months...

I'd be much obliged! (I've been playing around with it long enough and I'm taking a break!) ;)

~ Jennifer

P.S. I know it's just me as I can see the other 'Challengers' all seemed to have figured it out.

Shop Update :: coming soon

Should there be even one person curious about the shop update, I am having trouble with my 'mouse' right now. At least, I believe it is the mouse. I have to click and click and click on everything to get it to work. The keys on the keyboard all work fine, it's only when I go to use my mouse that I have trouble. It was doing this about a week ago and it had been working great for several days now.

I'm thinking we're going to have to look into getting a new one. (I've tried plugging and unplugging it in case it was loose and nothing changed.) So, the shop update will be coming soon! Just as soon as I find enough patience to finagle with this mouse a bit! :)

I'll be soon listing a little Pyrex sugar bowl with a clear glass lid (it's a white bowl with a brown print that I'm unfamiliar with the Copper Filigree pattern*), another Fire King mug (in shades of brown), a white Fire King plate, and (I want to keep this one so badly! but I bought it with the intent to part with it so I'm trying to stick to my guns) a cream colored milk glass pie plate/cake stand with a tiny gold print throughout the top of it. I also have a little tea kettle, perfect for two! I have more stuff but I need to photograph it first, that's just what I've taken pictures of so far.

* Some may refer to it as Brown Scroll or Brown Filigree.

I've got it!

I have been monkeying around with Picasa for the past hour or so but I finally figured out how to resize my photos for Etsy and it's so easy! What a relief. And, thanks again Missy for the tip on cropping my photos to squares. That was so helpful!

Just when I was starting to get frustrated...nearly to tears...frustrated, I figured it out! All on my own, too--with a little help from the Internet. What a good feeling.

I should be able to get things up and running in the next day or so!

Now, hopefully, I didn't just jinx myself.

A quick tutorial on resizing photos for Etsy from Picasa--in case anyone out there is wondering the same as I was.

First, do all of your fine tuning with the color, lighting, etc. on your photo.
Crop it to a square (Square: CD Cover).

Next, hit the export button at the bottom of your screen.

Then, under 'image size options', choose the size you need. I'm using 1024 pixels. (I could be way off on that one... I'll have to see what they look like when I finish setting up this item in my shop.)

Then hit 'okay'.

Now, let's head over to Etsy. When you get to the 'First, find your image' option.
Click on 'Browse'.

Find the 'My Pictures' folder. Click on it.
Scroll until you see the folder 'Picasa Exports'. Click on it.
You should see a folder with your exported pictures. Double click. Find the photo you need, and that's it!

I hope this will help someone out there! I'm posting it under Tech. Stuff' should anyone need it in the future.

Commenting for non-bloggers

I know some of the readers that I know in 'real life' (as opposed to my 'secret life') aren't bloggers and this question has come up a couple of times...

If you ever wish to comment, and don't have a blog or website, you can leave the 'Web Site URL' blank. You can comment by using your name and email. (I am the only one who can see your email.)

I love when you comment!! All of us bloggers do, so keep 'em coming! :)

eta: I believe the Ghost of Christmas Past is playing around with Typepad. I've had trouble commenting on other Typepad blogs lately, where it only gives me the option to type in my name and email address and not my URL. Not sure what's going on! But hopefully, the glitch will be corrected soon. :) In any case, the above that I mentioned applies at all times for Typepad.

Hypothetically speaking, that is - it's a hair-y deal!

Say, you got your hair cut

after desperately needing one

and you were so excited to get it

and in an effort to save a couple of bucks you went somewhere other than your favorite salon... (I know, big mistake, you say!)

only to find out it turned out to be one of the worst cuts you've ever had. (Not the style, the cut.)

And, you were overcharged

and didn't have enough nerve to ask 'why' when you paid... (I know, that one's my own fault! I ended up paying more than at my usual place. I just didn't have enough nerve, so, we're running on 'principle' here.)

And, when you called back to talk to a manager about having it corrected

so you can feel happy about your new style...

and you found out it was the manager who cut it...

so you played all nice over the phone, so as not to hurt her feelings, and just asked about getting the top fixed up a bit, even though you don't want her anywhere near your hair again... (It really is bad.)

and she told you the hours she'll be working so you can go back in to have her fix it...

What would you do?

To be continued...

For curiosity sake :: Title matters

I changed the title of my last post immediately upon posting it but I noticed, tonight, that I continue to get hits with the 'rough-draft' title which is different from 'Walking among the stones'. Anyone know why? I'm assuming it's some sort of 'bloglines' type deal...

This also makes me wonder about proofing. - I change things after I post all the time, sometimes adding entire paragraphs, so I'm really curious. Do those changes show up when I make them if the title doesn't change?