4 Fabulous Friday 12/7/12

Here is my last set of photos from our trip!  The first photo I would like to show off is something that simply 'made the trip'.  After being personal friends for many years via the web, I was able to meet this wonderful lady for the first time - in person!  We were able to spend a couple of days crafting, talking and basically just 'being' together throughout my trip.  Who is this wonderful lady??  Ms. Gail Pither from CrossStitchCards.  I sooooo enjoyed our visits and look forward to seeing her again soon!  (I'm on the left)

Then there was our trip to Wienerschnitzel's.  We don't have them in Florida, so for the kids and I it was a great treat!  And since you are there you just HAVE to have an ice cream....

(my mom is on the right)

And there was also a visit from our FAMOUS friend - Author Charity Maness.  I was able to get a SIGNED copy of her newest book to add to my collection....It's Lonely Here in Hell....this one is a very emotional book!! (that's my mom on the right)

And now I will close with this perfect photo - this is Monster with his grandfather after a day of playing and being grandpa's 'shadow'.  Talk about a great day!

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Some of you have already seen my newest listing, but I thought I'd show it off again!  This is another version of the creation I showed off yesterday.  This one has a little bit bigger crystals, but it is only 2 rows instead of 3 rows.  These have such a 'slinky' feel to them!!

KraftyMax is having a SALE! 20% off all items in the shop!

Swarovski Crystals + Seed Beads Woven Together - Pure Delight Bracelet

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And for those who want to see what I'm working on right now... here are the colors I started with...

and here is row 29!!

 

You can watch it grow and try to guess what it will be, by checking out my Fan Page or Google+ page throughout the day.

 

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My featured artist today is; JohnHarmonGallery.  This amazing photographer captures the world around him in such 'living' detail.  The area he has his studio in is an area I know well.  I spent the summers 'just down the road' from where his studio is, it is both beautiful and wild.  I am very amazed at the details he captures in his animal photos as well.  You really must go check out his on-line studio and see what I am talking about.  Remember, always support handmade artists whenever you can.

 

http://www.JohnHarmon.com 

http://www.JohnHarmonGallery.com 

http://www.facebook.com/johnharm… 

http://ncArt.net

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I'll leave you with this thought for today;

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. 

0 Weekend Re-post 10/28/12

Originally posted on Monday, October 12, 2009

Monster Monday's

This is the third of a three part series on my friend and author Charity L. Maness.  This is a ex cert from her book Hopefully.  Hopefully is a wonderful love story with all the 'clumsiness' of real life, the pain and friendship we experience everyday, and also the love and kindness that makes all of our hearts swell.

At the bank I say to the teller cheerfully, "I would like to cash my paycheck please.  This is my first paycheck.  I worked.  I have a job.  Do I got a paycheck.  It's all mine." The teller looks awfully nervous and call over the manager.  I think something must be wrong with my very first paycheck and I start to panic.  "Is there something wrong?  Is there money in the account?  This is my first paycheck and its all mine.  Please say there is nothing wrong."  I plead with the manager.

The manager leans across the counter lays her hands on my hands that I am wringing and says quietly, "You need to calm down a little Mrs. Madison, you are scaring the staff."  Oops.  This is humiliating, but it could definitely be worse, like me trippin on my way out accidentally tossing my money in the air and everyone trampling me to get to the free money floating about. 

Thank goodness that didn't happen I think as I get into my car.

I call Mattie.  "Hey Mat, guess what?  I just got paid and I want to take you out tonight?  Meet me at my house at eight and we'll head out from there." I hang up so she can't say "no".  I'm feeling pretty sneaky and down right smug.  

At home I pay my bills and find out there is indeed enough money left to have a couple of drinks with Mat.  I run up the stairs to shower and get ready for a night on the town.  As I start the shower I hear the phone ring.....

In a few weeks her next book - Faithfully will be out, and I will read that (as soon as I get a copy) and also write about it.  These books are wonderful, funny and a great way to relax and enjoy life.  Next week I will announce  my contest, keep watching!  Please remember, you can purchase these books through Amazon.com and they are SOOOOO worth the money!  You will re-read them, I guarantee it!  

From Positive Test to Empty Nest and Hopefully, Faithfully 
(will be available for purchase on Amazon.com October 20, 2009)

by Charity L. Maness

2 Monster Monday's

Well, this Monday I am getting back to my regular "Monster Monday" features.  I have not gotten any response to the contest for the newest Charity Maness book *totally disappointed* - *sigh* - so I have decided to make it really easy...comment on this post and leave me your email to enter into a drawing for a copy of Charity's newest book....Faithfully.  This is as simple of a contest as I can make!  Please, these are wonderful books, you will enjoy them so much, either buy them or win one...thanks!

Now, onto the feature for today...MisfitCreatures.  This is such a wonderful Monster Couple!  Perfect for anyone's fall festivities or everyday just to make you smile!  There are many 'monsters' in this shop, just check it out and see.  Leave the shop a note, mark it as a favorite or maybe even buy something.  

Enjoy your Monster Monday and please....keep your monsters close to your heart, I do....~KM

2 Monster Monday's

Morning all!!  First a bit of news, I was so busy and tired this weekend that I didn't even get a post done for Sunday...sorry!  The craft show that I went to was a wonderful success!  There was a wonderful crowd and wonderful weather.  I also did WONDERFULLY!  Yes, I actually made money at this show!.  The show circuits have been so bad lately that if you just cover all your expenses you are usually happy.  This was such a good show that I actually made money!!  Ya HOOOOO!  

Sorry, didn't mean to brag or rub it in, I am just really happy....I would do a happy dance, but my back and legs are 

killing me!!!  LOL.

Now, on to the important stuff!   This is the Monster Monday where I tell you all about the contest that I am having for the book from Charity Maness.  It is rather simple, but fun....  You will need to look all over my blog and the posts from the last 5 weeks.  Count how many times I use the words..... Empty Nest...... This includes in the blog posts, the blog sidelines or any other part of www.kraftymax.blogspot.com that it happens to be.  Leave a comment under this post with your name and your count.  On Monday, October 26th I will choose a winner at random from the people who have entered.  You will receive a copy of the newest Charity Maness books, Faithfully, right off the presses!!!  It may even be signed!!!!  I know that this will require to to look a little bit for the words Empty Nest, 

but you have to work a little to get even the 'free' things!

Thanks for following me at I tell you all about my wonderful friend and her terrific books.  Remember, you can always purchase them from Amazon.com.....  From Positive Test to Empty Nest and Hopefully - starting October 20th - Faithfully.  Enjoy this wonderful Monster Monday and be nice to your monster!  ~KM

Charity L. Maness

 

0 Monster Monday's

This is the third of a three part series on my friend and author Charity L. Maness.  This is a ex cert from her book Hopefully.  Hopefully is a wonderful love story with all the 'clumsiness' of real life, the pain and friendship we experience everyday, and also the love and kindness that makes all of our hearts swell.

At the bank I say to the teller cheerfully, "I would like to cash my paycheck please.  This is my first paycheck.  I worked.  I have a job.  Do I got a paycheck.  It's all mine." The teller looks awfully nervous and call over the manager.  I think something must be wrong with my very first paycheck and I start to panic.  "Is there something wrong?  Is there money in the account?  This is my first paycheck and its all mine.  Please say there is nothing wrong."  I plead with the manager.

The manager leans across the counter lays her hands on my hands that I am wringing and says quietly, "You need to calm down a little Mrs. Madison, you are scaring the staff."  Oops.  This is humiliating, but it could definitely be worse, like me trippin on my way out accidentally tossing my money in the air and everyone trampling me to get to the free money floating about. 

Thank goodness that didn't happen I think as I get into my car.

I call Mattie.  "Hey Mat, guess what?  I just got paid and I want to take you out tonight?  Meet me at my house at eight and we'll head out from there." I hang up so she can't say "no".  I'm feeling pretty sneaky and down right smug.  

At home I pay my bills and find out there is indeed enough money left to have a couple of drinks with Mat.  I run up the stairs to shower and get ready for a night on the town.  As I start the shower I hear the phone ring.....

In a few weeks her next book - Faithfully will be out, and I will read that (as soon as I get a copy) and also write about it.  These books are wonderful, funny and a great way to relax and enjoy life.  Next week I will announce  my contest, keep watching!  Please remember, you can purchase these books through Amazon.com and they are SOOOOO worth the money!  You will re-read them, I guarantee it!  

From Positive Test to Empty Nest and Hopefully, Faithfully 
(will be available for purchase on Amazon.com October 20, 2009)

by Charity L. Maness

0 Monster Monday's

So, if you all read my last MONSTER Monday post, you know that this is the 2nd in a 3 part series about a good friend and author, Charity Maness. Her books have brought me many moments of laughter, 'ah ha's' along with just plain smiles and giggles.  Her first book tells you about her life as a new mother, all the way through the toddler and teen stage to the 'empty nest' stage....From Positive Test to Empty Nest...and through it all, you really can understand and empathize with her from your own experiences - even if you are not a mother yourself.

I was born and raised in Walnut Creek California. That is where I first discovered my love for the written word. Though it was maudlin and quite lovesick poetry at the time, it was still creative. Writing came naturally though I never thought of it as a talent, just a means to an end. My homework in college was well written and extremely creative…especially if I didn’t know the answer. I would simply continue to write and hope I hit on some small bit of important data.

After meeting the man of my dreams at work (work being code for ‘bar’) where I diligently and quite well I might add, sold fine beverages as a means to pay for my college tuition and the occasional meal, I found myself married and within five years the lucky owner of three beautiful children. Through those years the only writing tool held in my hand was a jam covered crayon, unless you count eyeliner, I have had to use that medium many times in lieu of the all illusive pencil.

Now living on the coast of California just south of San Francisco, we added one more little Maness to our brood and I cut my hair. No point in having long hair when there is absolutely no time to style it. The pretty nails went by the wayside too, along with the lingerie that kept getting me in trouble, bring on the flannel nighties.

Writing seemed to be a thing of the past, though my mind was still spinning tales, for each night I would make up bedtime stories for my children with them as the lead bunny, or head honcho hippo, etc. There was always a moral and lots of action. For my birthday and Mother’s Day I would ask my children to write a story. Any story. I got some real doozies, I tell you. My oldest, if I had paid any attention at all I would have known he was born a Marine, would always write stories of mercenaries and battles.  My youngest always wrote of hero puppies. Second life? Or vet? I haven’t figured that one out yet.

Move to the country with the passel of kids, add 2 nephews, 1 niece, horses, pigs, cows, goats, bunnies, chickens, and whadaya know? I begin to write again. I can’t recall sleeping, but hey, sleep is over rated.

After writing down some funny stories for my children to read to their children some day, my husband asked what I was up to. He read a few pages and couldn’t stop laughing. “You did this? How did you remember all that? You really should publish this!” This from a man that barely says that much in a whole day, I talk enough for both of us and then some. I knew I was on to something. A few more years pass and a few kids move on and move out and I now have time to pursue this dream. Not only does it allow my creative juices to flow but when I create a character I put a smidge of each and every child I have had into the characters, so I have my children with me always. If one is in a foreign land fighting the battle on terrorism, or one is out fighting fires, one is headed off to college, and one is itching to move on, I can open my work in progress and see them come alive right there, in the room with me.

With motherhood being the best job I ever could have applied for (and conveniently not been denied because of lack of experience), writing takes a comfy second place. Without the incredible differences in my children’s personalities and their own perspectives on life I don’t believe I would be able to grasp so many different characters and their personalities.  But I also need to mention my friend Maggie here, not to be confused with Mattie, but one can draw that parallel line.   Unbeknownst to her she has been great fodder for further character formation.

I hope this lends you some insight into the fun and exciting journey to my odd and humorous outlook on life.  

This wonderful bio about her (written by herself) provides in site, however, the most wonderful plug I can give her is that she is a beautiful and full of life - longtime - family friend!

Please check out her books and remember, this is part 2 of 3, so next Monday will be the review about her 2nd book, Hopefully, and also the announcement of the contest.  You will need to keep your eyes and computers open to try for this contest, 

so please follow along!!!!  

Enjoy!     ~KM

P.S. You can purchase this 'print and ship' (very green) books from Amazon.com.... From Positive Test to Empty Nest and Hopefully.

0 Monster Monday's

From Positive Test to Empty Nest

A Humorous Journey Through Motherhood

written by Charity L Maness

 This is a wonderful author and friend.  My family has know Charity for many years, however, I have just been able to read and re-read her books.  After sitting and reading both of her current books I can SOOOOOO relate to all of her stories!  You all know that I call my 4 year old boy Monster, well, he lives up to his nickname almost daily.  Charity writes about her adventures in mothering 3 boys and 1 girl of her own and also some other children.  Having known her children personally makes the stories even better, but I can tell you that this book is for everyone who needs to realize that their life isn't that bad and that a good laugh will fix your woes!  

Here is a small sample of the fun in this book....enjoy!

Traveling with country bumkin' kids has its own set of minor mishaps too.  While waiting outside of an 'Icky Mom Shop,' meaning one with pretty smelling candles and oils and things of that sort, my son Marshall found he needed to go potty.  His older brothers didn't think it was necessary to bring him into the store to look for me.  Nor did they think it was a priority to find a bathroom for their little brother.  No, they just let little Marshall go potty right there on the side of the building.  How do I know this?  Well, as I was enjoying a moment of peaceful shopping when  an older lady came in the store and was aghast that a little boy was outside peeing on the building.  This statement of course was shrieked loud enough for the whole entire shop to hear.  I slowly put down the lovely candlestick that I was coveting, covered my face in shame and made it out of there 
as fast as I could.  

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If you are interested in reading more - and laughing - you can purchase this book from Amazon Books.  This book is a 'print upon demand' book, meaning that when you purchase it, it will be printed and then sent out just to you!  This process is very fast and green!  

Next week (October 4th) I will do a entire bio about Charity and then on (October 11th) the following Monday I will do a review of her second book Hopefully.  Her 3rd book is in the 'proofing' stage and I can't wait to get a copy!  

Please, order this wonderful book and let me know what you think.  Remember, there will be a contest at the end of the 3 weeks for all of those that follow this special Monster Monday series!  Enjoy!  ~KM