Jul 18, 2009

Today Was a Good Day

Today was a fantastic day even after a few stumbling blocks it turned out wonderful. I went thrifty shopping and I think I got some pretty good bargins. You never know what you will find in a thrift shop. Joyce called me early telling me about these ladder back chairs she saw the day before. They were gorgeous I didn't get them just yet because I am not sure if they have a spot in my home for them. They are black with the heavy straw woven seats and have hand painted flowers on the ladder part of them with bits of gold trim. Well this here is the chair I am buy from target to put on the bare wall by my steps, that Joyce thought the chairs in the thrift shop would be better and you get all four for 79.00 dollars it just not the same. This is the picture of the settee I am buying

Even though the ladder back chairs are really nice I just don't see a place right now in my small house to place them. But I did however buy these two chairs I just couldn't leave them in that cold lonely drabby thrift store they was calling out my name over and over begging me to please don't leave them behind.





I love them! I got them both for 45.00 dollars I am not sure if that is a bargain or not I just knew I had to have them. I also brought two lamps one for 12.00 and the other for 5.00 dollars, a black metal tray for 2 bucks and a wicker laundry basket for 1.50 So I think I did pretty good for the amount of money I spent.






And last but not lest I am a huge lover of red transferware and TOILE! well I found two nice pieces on etsy and I can't wait for them to come in the mail




Well that's it for now I need to get some rest whew I hope everyone has had a wonderful as well
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

Jul 11, 2009

What a Saturday

Today I decided that I would try and paint the furniture on my front porch ugh. Well here is a before and a half finished after lol. I had two cans of spray paint and only to find out it takes 2 cans of paint for each chair so until I can go back to Home Depot and get more paint this is the results for now. I know my neighbors are saying why she even bothered those chairs are not done. I also want to paint the white wicker chair that use to be a rocker I have had now for 16yrs. That's my son I was pregnant with him when I gotten the rocker.






I found out I don't have as much strength in my hands as I use to it was really hard trying to hold trigger tight to spray the paint. I welcome any ideas anyone have that can help me cozy up this porch a bit.

Peace and Blessings
Cheryl... Snatch Joy!

Jul 9, 2009

THANK YOU


Today I wanted to take time out to thank all the bloggers who have read my blogs over the past months. I want also thank everyone who has kept me and my sons in prayer. Sometimes life can get a little ahead of you going so fast that you have to stop and Breath. I just didn't want it to go unsaid that I don't appreciate my blogging buddies.

Over the past months I have enjoyed reading your blogs and learning new things along the way. Even when I was not able to sit down and type out a blog of my own I enjoyed each of you sharing your life and talents. For those who have been asking about my son I want to let you know that he is doing Wonderful. He is working out more and more with his weights I am a very proud mom. Slowly I am doing a little bit of sewing here and there stil not able to sell any dolls lol but oh well I enjoy them. Now if anyone reading this can give me some tips on how to turn fingers using osnburg fabric. I am having a hard time whew my stuffing tool poking holes in it lol well until I can find out a easier way of doing this I guess I will go back to making mitten hands lol.

Have a Beautiful Day Everyone
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY

Jul 7, 2009

Something Just To Make You Smile

Yesterday my Best Friend Joyce went out shopping and I told her that I needed a larger trash can. The city that I live in now is suggesting that everyone have large trash containers at least 35 gallons ones. I told her the type I was looking for I wanted the lid to be attached. Well the first Home Depot she went to did not have any, so from that store she made a call to another store which they told her that they did have them. She went there to grab one only to find out they did not have them after all. So from that well the type I wanted which she seen was close the woman rang up 70 dollars!! Joyce said she screamed and aske to speak with the woman who she had spoken with on the phone well to make a long story short, Joyce got me a 45 Gallon 70 dollar trash can for 26 bucks!!

Now here comes the funny part ok I don't live in the subs nor do I live where everything is always peaches and cream lol. So with that being said I gave my new trash can a look all it's own to distract it from suddenly growing feet and leaving from out my yard lol and here it is


Have a Great Day Everyone
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl ... Grabbing Hold to JOY!

Jun 27, 2009

It's Been Awhile


It has taken me forever to get the urge to blog. So much has been going on I felt it was maybe time for me to sit back and express how I am feeling. Over the past months I have been in the hospital 3 times now I am facing going back in again for surgery. Funny how at a blink of an eye your life can suddenly change. I never once thought I would be saying the big C word yes Cancer. Me who did not learn until last year that I was diabetic now being faced with the thought of having Ms C I will call it.

Depression has set in I struggle daily trying to fight it some days are not so great it just has a big hold on me. Funny that I should call my blog Peaceful Blessings I don't even know what that is anymore. I pray all the time that God would bless me with Peace. I guess I just have to pray a little harder and a little longer. I know some who may be reading my blog is saying here Cheryl goes again with another one of her sad sad blogs. Sorry but right now this is all I have to offer. I can make you laugh about one thing I am starting to journal maybe I should include bits and pieces here about my life as a Fat Girl yup that's me. Doctors even suggested that I lose 150 pounds wow who knew I would turn out like this so my journal starts off as The Confessions of a Fat Girl. Doesn't that just keep ringing in your ears I know it does mines. I find myself more and more starring into mirrors that only I can see the dead ugly truth. Now Fat Girl what are you going to do about it! Well I have done a few things but right now my health is not letting me do as much as I would like. Cutbacks lots and lots of cut backs just can't seem to kick the Pepsi habit so I now treat myself to one of those a week instead of the massive 6 pack out of a week. They say confession is good for the soul then why do I feel like pure crap right now lol. Hmmm maybe that is another reason I have had two strokes in the last few months thank God they were mild but it was another alarm ringing and banging in my head that it is time for this Fat Girl to get rid of her Big Bloomers and tame them down to pannie size. Until another day as this Fat Girl Always says
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl....Snatch JOY!
P.S. If anyone want to share some of their joy please do I could use it!

Mar 30, 2009

Manic Monday



Manic Monday I thought I take a few minutes and blog on things I am working on. This is one of my dolls I am almost finished I am not too sure about the green buttons. The cheese cloth she is wearing comes from the packaging of my WinterBasic Swap thanks again Kim for such lovely gifts. I need to stop being so picky I guess lol. I have on the hunt for more vintage hats. I have found some great ones on Etsy. Some I just can't see paying the price they want only to know I will be using them on dolls. But then again they are a few I run across that I almost dont want to part with. Before I had locked my hair I was a big hat wearer. Now it is almost impossible to find a fancy hat to go over all this hair, but non the less I love my locs.

I am off to run some errands and maybe even run pass the one and only thift shop in my area. Everyone be blessed!
Cheryl...Snatching JOY~

Mar 27, 2009

It's The Weekend





Well the weekend is here and my week has been busy busy and down right demanding. I am still working on more dolls. But the sun shined on me I won the Life Maker Over Contest! Ok I have to say I really didn't think I would win. I am still shy bit confussed about it. I am excited to see what happens next. Thank everyone for choosing me!

I had been very bad with blogging and not to mention even with my emails I am going to get better with the both. Right now I have projects going, 1. Makeover for the dead zone that is what I call my laundry room, 2. Trying to come up with a better way of being oragnized in this room I call office/studio aka multipurpose room. 3. Lastly trying to learn how to operate my digital camera to take better photos of my dolls. I have been listing more n more dolls in my etsy shop but the pictures just do not do any justice for them at all nothing to grab your attention not mention all the detail and work I put into each doll. Anyone have any pointers that could help me out with this? I am also behind in listing my doll collection but I took a few pictures of some that are stuffed away in a curio lol. I will try and get back with that again next week.


Have a great weekend
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~

Mar 19, 2009

Life and Style Makeover

Today I decided that I would sit back and basically tell the world why I deserve to win this makeover. I am a little shy about doing this but at the same time I thought it is also a way for me to get out a lot that is going on in my life. That is part of what blogging is about.

I don't want to come off appearing depressing. My reasons for the makeover is to be able to once get the joy and peace back in my life that has been missing for so many years. For almost Seven years I have been depressed because of life situations first starting with my home burning down in Washington, DC which is how I ended up living in Baltimore, MD (I hate it here). At the time my house caught on fire I soon learned so many valuable lessons one get insurance, two never trust anyone, three Red Cross only puts you up for one night after that you are on your own. So began my life nightmare. My boys were in elementary school at the time of all this and my father-in-law at the time lived out here in Baltimore and knew of a Person who rented homes without a down payment. Pressed with needing a place to live my husband and I rented the home for the low low price of $575.00 for a three bedroom town house front and back yard and all the mice you could ever want. Yes I said mice come to find out after settling in the place was infested with them. There is no short to this story in order for me to just bring out all the details. I am terrified of mice and don't like anything that has any relation with mice right down to even a shall we say cute picture of one those things.

The first day we walked into the house I almost cried another thing I truly cannot stand is paneling well guess what every last room in this place had paneling. The house of gloom. No Fridge I asked the landlord where is the fridge he just laughed and said you have to get your own. Not mention no way could use the stove that was in this place. My husband soon broke down and cried screaming how he didn't work this hard to end up living this way. I did all I could to try and make the place a home but nothing worked. Now what I also didn't mention I know I am bouncing all over the place with this story but the house that burned only burned the bedroom upstairs which was our room. Everything downstairs was fine but the problem was the owner of the house which by the way we was renting with option to buy stole everything from us he locked us out of the house not even the police would help us told us we had to file a civil suit. My husband lost his job the next day after the fire he is a flooring installer and the company told him they couldn't let his problem become their problems after he asked to not be on the schedule because his house had just burned down.

After living in this hell hole mice infested place Baltimore began the down fall of my life. Never did I stop to realize that this had also taken a mental affect on my kids. They also hated living here. So to start naming the things that has occured in my life of living in Baltimore maybe I should list them before I go on, but instead for the first time instead of talking about everyone else I am going to talk about myself for a change.

I have had 3 what the doctors call mini strokes not even knowing that I had them. My health just started going down hill actually it took a nose dive. I have the worse teeth in my mouth that anyone could imagine because of past things that had happened to me (ex husband abused me and eventual tried killing me) not having a dental plan to get the necessary care my mouth needed, so I dont smile a lot I really don't like talking to anyone in public. At one point I felt as though my life was just over literally everything that gave me any type of joy seemed to have been snatched away. I learned not to buy nothing that I will not use so those days of buying pretty linens and nice dinnerware is just a no no. I don't have anything I call *that is for when company comes over* lol company never comes here nobody comes here except the one friend I have living out here that is Joyce other than that nobody visit. We long moved from the mouse house into a much better place actually I love this house just never had the money to buy the things I would love to have to really make it home starting with a sofa, I am a person who finds ways to make do with what I have. But it would really be nice for once to have a nice cozy place again.

I said I wouldnt talk about anyone but me this time I can't do it. My life I guess revolves around my kids which at this point in my life has been filled with heartaches. Most know the story about my youngest son being beaten, I only mention my other son and him joining the church but there is more to him that I just nevered talked about. It just pains me I guess some days I just dont feel much happiness right now most have stopped reading this and that is ok too. I am just rambling letting out my feelings doesn't much matter about a contest for a makeover those things only happen for other people. I watch extreme makeovers a few times on tv and would wish that could happen to me. That I could have my teeth fixed and have nice clothes to wear. Not mention to take away a ton of pounds I have collected over the years. Some days I just want to grab a bag throw some clothes in it and head for the door and keep going not looking back. I always tell folks to snatch joy I even try finding some to grab hold to just that it seems everytime I get a piece of it something finds a way to snatch it away. Maybe I might try later on with this right now none of what I am saying is making any sense.

I guess that is another reason I surf and read so many of you blogs. Your lives seem so wonderful and family life seem just peaceful and happy.

Mar 16, 2009

Monday's Doll of The Week












Peddler Doll This is one of My Favorite Dolls in my collection she is a reproduction China Head Doll. I purchased this doll in 2000 at a Doll and Teddy Bear Show in Washington, DC. The artist who created her name is Annie. I have a small collection of China Head dolls two which are Antique. The History of China Head Dolls.

China head dolls were made by various companies from 1840-1940. The vast majority of china dolls were made in Germany. China head dolls are usually found on a wood, cloth or a kid body and some have partial limbs of china too. May have molded hair or have a wig over a solid bald dome. Their sizes range from a tiny 3" to a big and heavy 40" tall.

Many of the china head dolls are unmarked, or may have a mold number; it can be impossible to pinpoint the manufacturer, so most dolls are described and identified by their hairstyles. As hairstyles changed the dolls reflected this and changed too.

The Peddler Doll
The few dolls of the eighteenth century which may still be found are either of wood or wax mostly wood. Of these the peddler dolls are the most interesting. In the eighteenth century, women traveled about the countryside as packpeddlers did a generation ago in this country selling needles, pins, and other small articles. These women were called Notion Nannies, and were familiar figures in English country districts.

The peddler dolls commemorate a social custom. They are of carved wood and usually carry a basket containing numerous miniature articles. Such a doll, from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum appears as a frontispiece. Some of these old peddler dolls have found their way to America. Mrs. DeWitt Clinton Cohen of New York has a wonderful collection of them, one of which has 125 articles on the tray. The author owns one that was found for her in northern England during World War II. It dates from 1780 and had been bought by an antique dealer at a farm auction in Nottinghamshire.

Summary ...I guess what I love so much about China Head dolls are, The size, costumes, and accessories. Dolls can be a teacher of history.

Until next time
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~

Mar 15, 2009

A Lazy Sunday

It has been sometime now since I have blogged. I have been so busy trying regroup after my shows. Which I am happy to say turned out great! I took a break also from sewing but haven't stopped buying fabric. I don't believe I could ever stop doing that. Few weeks ago I took a trip to Williamsburg, VA one of my favorite places. If nothing more it was to relax clear my head for a few days and enjoy the company of a great friend.

I do have something special to show off my package from Heidi at Foxgloves "Winters Basics Baubles Swap. That was a lot of fun I had a Wonderful Partner as well.


Everything is just wonderful and wrapped so pretty right down to the box she mailed it in. Swaps are a lot of fun and they also can be somewhat risky. So far I have done 3 swaps and only one was questionable. I thought it was a great way to meet new friends. I would like to know your opinions about swaps the pros and cons. Also in the next few days I have decided to start taking pictures of my doll collection and posting a picture a week maybe two post a week about the doll and how I came about having her. I feel it is also a great way for me to be able to start making a journal of my collections. You will be surprised at how many dolls I have in my collection lol. I have sold off a large amount of them on ebay, but for now the ones I have left I will hold on to them a little while longer. Also, I have listed two dolls in my Esty Shop. More to come.
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl....Snatch JOY!

Feb 23, 2009

I Can Now Breath











Whew! It has been awhile since I had time to sit back and take a small break. Thank you all for prayers my son is doing Great!! He has healed up nicely, last Thursday I was so happy when the doctor said they wouldn't have to wire his jar. Whew that made me extra happy out of knowing that wiring his jaw meant they would have to cut him on the side of his face to place a plate in there I was more than happy to hear he would not be needing that. Now he has a dental appointment to fix the chipped teeth.

I have done two shows in the last week and to my surprise I did very well! As you can see the one picture was from the first show is very blurry............sigh I left the memory card at home to my camera and tried using my blackberry to take pictures. The other pictures are of some happy ladies with their new dolls. But the BIGGEST NEWS of all is I have been asked to do two pieces for the Reginald Lewis Museum (very nervous) not too sure what I will do but will keep you posted on that. Funny how things happen just a short conversation with someone not having any idea who the person is. Wow one of the members of the museum. So now I am going to focus on getting my work area back in order, hunting down old vintage handbags, hats and anything else I can use for my dolls. I love rabbits and had a black cloth one someone gave me many years ago and during one of my moves it was lost. So I am going to take time later on to make myself one fine fancy rabbit lol.
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

Feb 17, 2009

Just a Little Note


I can start seeing a little more sunshine along my path. Tomorrow is my big day for the Black History Month Show. I have been working on dolls for weeks now and through all the clutter I have created I can sit back after tomorrow and breath a little before going back at it again.
My Son is healing more and more each day again, Thanks everyone for your prayers I will keep yall updated on the progress of finding the people responsible for this.
Did anyone catch the sales at Jo Ann's I did. Joyce came by and took me out shopping yesterday I was a bit hesitate about going but she felt I needed to be out and grab some fresh air. I was also out of white thread major problem matter fact a crisis being without white thread. I use more white and black thread than any other color. So with coupons in hand off we went. I grabbed a bolt of black muslin, a bolt of onsaburg and only paid 40.00 dollars for the bolt of onsaburg I tell you having coupons is the best thing since slice bread. Not to mention a lot of the grocery chains now are doing double coupon savings on coupons up to 1.00 off. I have done some major damage in the grocery store with those. I even splurged and brought a gingher seam ripper was on sale 30percent off sale price 17.49 plus 10 percent off coupon. Now before I start on anymore dolls I must clean up the mess I have made that some how I just don't know trailed into my bedroom I dare not show pictures of that. Let's just say I am a phone call away from clean house showing up.
Speaking of clean house how many of you watch that show? After watching it a few times I can honestly say it has made me look at things I have at home a lot different. I don't think I could stomach how some of those people homes look. Gosh how on earth could you see stuff just piled up and not even try to get rid of it. Shame of it all but I guess like they say it takes all kinds. I will take pictures of the show and share. I need to start dinner before Mista gets in which is going to be a quick fix meal.
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

Feb 14, 2009

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY





I know I am a little late and today it took everything in me to have a Beautiful
day. Today was also my 16th Wedding Anniversary. Mista had to work but he surprised me with a strawberry shortcake, some flowers and a hook rug I have been wanting for sometime.
I am still hurt and upset over my son and trying to keep my head up for the show I am doing on Tuesday. I am truly drained, My son is doing as best he can right now his face is still swollen and with bruises they look worst as they start getting better I just have to do all I can to have him mentally and spiritually right now he doesn't want anyone to see him and I feel his pain. Thank you all again for your prayers and kind words.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!


Feb 13, 2009

A Mother in Tears


Today I don't have good things to talk about and really I don't even know how to express what I am feeling. I am so hurt right now that I figure the best way to help it was to just blog about it. If this blog seems a bit confusing it's ok because I am. My son was brutally beaten yesterday the worst of my nightmares.

My youngest son goes to school across town, he attends a school for gifted kids he is a high honors student and I am so very proud of him. We call him Beasley a nick name given to him before he was even born funny little story maybe one day when I am not in tears I will explain it. He gets home from school everyday like clock work no later than 6:30 if he goes to the gym. Like I a said very good child. Some maybe can relate to my story but many I know can not. But it is very hard trying to raise a Black Male today so many many obstacles in the way. You feel like before you let your child out of the house you must arm him with all kinds of weapons. I arm mines with Prayers and asking God to keep him safe. Some how I was feeling a bit let down and that maybe the devil thought it had a more powerful weapon than the shield my son was carrying.

6:30 came and no sign of my son I kept calling his cell no answer I remember getting a call from a kid around 4:30 which was strange asking for him but I only told him that he hadn't come home from school yet. 7:45 my heart began to beat fast I knew definitely something was wrong trying not to think the worst I called the number back and the kids mom answered I asked had my son maybe dropped by there on the way home from school and that's when she broke the news to me. Her response was *You don't Know*!! OMG WHAT your son was involved in a altercation he was taken to the hospital. Tears began falling and right now I can not stop crying. I began trying to find what hospital no one called me she didn't know that I was not aware she said she would have called and told me at the time her son was calling to check on Beasley. Finally after making 4 calls I get the number to the dispatch for the ambulance service and they told me they had a call around 4:54 and took my son to John Hopkins Hospital. I didn't want my husband driving I called a cab we arrived I rushed through the emergency room trying to find him. A nurse spotted me and told me he was ok but hurt. My baby laid there broken jaw, chipped tooth, blacken eyes bruised all over. I broke down, I felt helpless i WAS not able to save my child from this. I have never in my life felt so helpless I can only just thank God he was not killed. I was told that he was assaulted by more than 12 youths all this happen in the so called Beautiful Downtown Baltimore Harbor. NO one tried to help my child and all this happened to my son because he heard a cry from another child much smaller than him who was also beaten by these same youths and which my son tells me the kid bike was stolen. He went to help the kid up and the gang came over to him and said oh so you wanna help him and began beaten on my son to the point he was knocked unconscious.

I am just in disbelief that a public area such as that no one called the police no one offered to help my son. I called the police station that is suppose to man that area but only got shot down as if I was bothering them. I just need answers he sits in anger and says to me *See Mom this is what happens to Good People* I don't want to send my son back to that school but it is not the schools fault the travel to and from is what has always been the fear to me. The hospital sent him home with a broken jaw I am to make an appointment for him with a specialist today. He screams that they stole his cell and ipod I tell him they are material things and they can be replaced. He looks at me and says mom we don't have money for those things, some how I will find a way. It just burns me up that my child had to go through something like this I don't want this to change him and make him into one of these kids out here. I just only wish life was different that our situation was different that we could live in a better place. But how do a mother heal from this how do I stop the tears from falling how do I convince my child that it is going to be ok when I look at him so badly beaten. I can't type anymore and I am still going to keep on snatching JOy

Cheryl

Feb 5, 2009

OMG! She's ALIVE


Dragging what is left of my one leg that is not tied to the sewing machine I decided to sit down and take a short break from sewing. I have just been totally drained the other day I woke up at 3:30 AM and started sewing and for 14hours what is wrong with me? I feel like I lost in ideas that for some reason is slow into making their way out of my head onto cloth. Last Saturday I did my weekly shopping with Joyce and as always she gets me buying more and more things that sometimes I have to ask myself now do you really need it or are you just buying on impulse and the answer is always of course I need it lol.

Well I was in such a hurry to make to Joann's that I got the sales mixed up and the quilter fabric didn't go on sale till the next day which was Sunday so you guessed it I will be back there this weekend shopping again. I truly have an addiction of many starting with my obsession with buttons gosh I need to find a place to check myself in just for help with that alone but nooooooo I keep hording buttons like a person with serious drug illness. Then my selfish ways when it comes to Lace shame on me I hunt, seek and find all bits and pieces of Lace I can get my hands on and not to mention the lace that so many kind and thoughtful souls who have graciously given me to add to my addiction. I sit there and just drool as I pacify myself with each piece at times dreaming of the things I could make from them then there are pieces I just can't find a way to part with them. What just what am I going to do with it? Nothing just sit and stare at it laying in my stash box. One I keep hidden away for only my eyes to see out of fear someone may suggest that it is a good piece to add to some doll laying over to the side patiently awaiting for more embellishments.
Here is a peek of the dolls I have been working on getting them ready for the Black History Month Show I will be doing at the State Department in DC on February 17. I never seem to satisfy with how my dolls look once they are finish I will take pictures of a few of them so far I have made 14 dolls in the past few weeks. I also must start on their little stories each one has a story to tell or a love letter tucked away some where that been hidden until someone can come along and mail it off for them.

Well this chain is starting to get tight meaning I need to get back to sewing. Until later

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl........Snatch Joy!