Gen Voss~The Diversified Crafter

I found the most adorable poodle pattern a few weeks ago and just knew I had to make one!! I love the way it came out and of course I added my own little twists and turns along the way. That is part of the fun, you can follow a pattern to a T..but as one pattern writer/crocheter said..to use your own thoughts as it is your hook and you know what to do with it..

So here is the darling original pattern from Red Heart:

You can find it here  http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/pomp-poodle

And here is mine which I followed the basic pattern:

I made her a little hat, which is a rolled rose with pearls and set on a piece of pink cotton vintage lace

I also used the pom pom yarn to make the tail as well as trim on the ears and legs and top of her head. If you have never used this yarn before it is very interesting to work with and to get used to using.

I decided to use buttons for her eyes and yarn eyelashes. I gave her a pink tulle bow. The basic pattern did not have a mouth but on the next one I make I think she needs a mouth..how else is she going to eat her kibble?

She has her nose high in the air as all respectable French Poodles all dressed for Easter should have!!

I hope you like her and I thank you for stopping by to see her!!

God Bless!

Gen Voss~The Diversified Crafter~

Three years ago today my life took some changes that I never expected to come..changes that at first glance were quite devastating, but as with all things you become flexible and adapt to the change..we came home to find our house had burned to the ground and everything in it was gone..I screamed and I cried and I thought why, why, why..natural human reactions..then I saw my Mom's Ichthys aka Jesus fish and I somehow knew everything would be okay.

Even though many tears were still to follow and hurt and pain over the loss of so many things so precious to me, we went on with the help of so many wonderful friends and loving family members. I am not gonna lie to you and say it doesn't still hurt and I don't still cry, because it does hurt and I do still cry. Later today I plan to climb the hill and look at what once was my dream in progress and then come back to my 5th wheel and dream of new things in progress.
Tomorrow I turn 62 and start collecting my SS!! I came from a time when we thought we would never make it past 30!! I have experienced life in ways I never thought possible as a kid. I have met many wonderful people along the way and had 5 wonderful beautiful children who in turn have given me 9 fantastic grand kids and 4 beautiful great grand kids!!
I have loved using FB as it has connected me with family members I have not seen on years! FB has given me a family and network of the most wonderful people in this old World!! People I laugh with, pray for, cry with, craft with and virtually hug them to bits! I am so blessed to have this wonderful social media network that enabled me to meet this fantastic people I love so dearly and would give about anything to meet them in person and really give a big ole hug to!! And to that social network of FB, I can add The Hive, where I have met so many wonderful creative and talented people too!
I can not complain about the twists and turns life has given me, it is all part of the journey that has made me who I am today. I always say I want to live to be at least 110, so after tomorrow I only have 48 more years to go..I pray they will be as blessed as the last 62 have been!!
God loves you all and so do I!!

Have a blessed lifetime!!

Gen Voss~The Diversified Crafter~

My little great grand daughter Ms. Georgia has been very ill and spent a few days in the hospital..the outcome was they think she might have gluten problems..they already know she has lactose problems...she loves monkeys..so I made her a crocheted monkey..

Here is Ms. Georgia with her new monkey

Thanks for stopping by!!

Gen Voss~The Diversified Crafter

My dear and talented friend Roberta is having a giveaway to followers of her blog!! I would love to win, but if that doesn't happen would love to see a friend win!! Just say I sent you!! http://decorablesart.blogspot.com/2012/02/win-my-blog-candy.html

You can also follow Robi here at The Hive!!

 http://creatingthehive.com/decorables

Seems every place you look you see owls in crafts these days..well I decided to jump on the Hooty Owl wagon too and crocheted up a little bag...I did not use a pattern, but figured I could make one without a pattern. Here she is:

 ..it is lined with fleece and measures 5 inches wide by 6.5 inches long..figured this was perfect for either a cell phone or small camera or for a little girl for her crayons or a snack..what ya think??

Thanks for stopping by..

Gen Voss~The Diversified Crafter

I had quite the adventure one new Year's Eve when I was 12 years old!! I was babysitting 2 little adorable boys for my next door neighbors, Loretta and Norman and also watching my sisters. I can not recall where my Dad had gone for New Year's as my parents were divorced by then and we lived with him. But I of course being the oldest got the babysitting, although an unpaid job, duties.

I remember we made popcorn and stayed up and watched Guy Lombardo, which was a tradition of many years for us and for many years after. But nothing really remarkable about the night until the neighbors came home!

I am afraid it was all too true that Loretta, who was a very pretty lady, had quite a roving way about her and I do not mean wool roving!! I never understood why she did as Norman was a very good looking guy and very talented and I mean after all they seemed to have a perfect life and 2 beautiful little red-headed boys.

They had gone to a party at the airport in Kansas City and Loretta said she left something there and had to go back to get it and asked my father if I could go with her. Maybe I was to be her alibi or something, not sure but I got to go with her. Now the Municipal Airport was some distance from where we lived in Lee's Summit and I was quite sleepy by then but Loretta was a talker and chattered all the way and I stayed awake...for awhile anyway.

We got to the airport and she drove around to one of the hangars and parked and we got out and walked up to this guy, she shook his hand and said I left my shawl here and have to get it..I recall him saying he knew right where it was..now I did think it was kind of strange that he had her shawl there at a hangar but then I was only 12 and not very worldly!

He asked me if I had ever been on a big plane and I said no not really but had seen many of them at the Air Force base that was close to my house. He said I was going to be allowed to go on one and look it over as much as I wanted to!! So he took me up the rickety metal stairs and told me not to touch any switches but look around as much as I wanted too!! How cool I thought!

So I looked all around and was fascinated with the plane and even got myself a 7-up from the galley!! I sat down in a seat to look out over all the lights on the runways and noticed Loretta was kissing this guy..humm I wondered why, maybe he was a relative and she was wishing him Happy new year! Well I sat there and fell asleep! I had found a wool and kind of itchy blanket and pillow and laid down on the seats while waiting for them to come get me. Not a good idea I found out!

I woke up in Oklahoma City!! Oh my how angry my father was going to be!! Seems I was sleeping on a plane that was going back to OKC only taking back some equipment on it and no one was expected to be on that plane. I was scared and wondered how the heck i was going to get back home! But they put me on a plane with other passengers headed back to KC and there on the ground was my father waiting for me..oh man this was going to be bad!! He said not a word all the way back to Lee's Summit..all the time I was thinking why was he mad at me..this was not my fault or my plan at all..but it turned out he was not mad at me but at Loretta and was just too mad to talk! I never got to babysit for them again!!

I hope where ever your New Year takes you that you have a good adventure and that you get back home safe and sound!!

Happy 2012 and may you prosper in this New Year!!

God Bless all!

Gen Voss~The Diversified Crafter~

I made this doll for a swap..she was made using vintage doll parts a dear friend sent me..I made her body with Heirloom Natural Cotton Batting and fiber fill..her skirt is made from some vintage gold satin material from an old bridal shop...her top is a velour criss cross and sewn in place with the sleeves made separate and then sewn to the body..the lace on her skirt and bodice is a vintage lace from the same bridal shop and there is vintage lace on the bottom of the skirt (somehow I cut that off in the pics)..her hair is wool roving with a little cast aluminum crown with rhinestones added and her wings are a organza hair bow I made..the wings can be removed.  There is a stiff netting, also from a bridal shop, under her skirt and she can be used as a tree topper or set upon something to make her stand. She is 100% hand sewn.

I hope you like her and I hope the swap partner does also.

God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Gen Voss~The Diversified Crafter

I so love sharing this funny but yet frustrated letter..I pray you all have wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving!!

God Bless!

Gen

THE THANKSGIVING LETTER

From: Marney

As you all know a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner does not make itself. I need to ask each of you to help by bringing something to complete the meal. I truly appreciate your offers to assist with the meal preparation.

Now, while I do have quite a sense of humor and joke around all the time, I COULD NOT BE MORE SERIOUS when I am providing you with your Thanksgiving instructions and orders. I am very particular, so please perform your task EXACTLY as I have requested and read your portion very carefully. If I ask you to bring your offering in a container that has a lid, bring your offering in a container WITH A LID, NOT ALUMINUM FOIL! If I ask you to bring a serving spoon for your dish, BRING A SERVING SPOON, NOT A SOUP SPOON! And please do not forget anything.

All food that is to be cooked should already be prepared, bring it hot and ready to serve, warm or room temp. These are your ONLY THREE options. Anything meant to be served cold should, of course, already be cold.

HJB—Dinner wine

The Mike Byron Family
1. Turnips in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. Please do not fill the casserole all the way up to the top, it gets too messy. I know this may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but most of us hate turnips so don’t feel like you a have to feed an army.
2. Two half gallons of ice cream, one must be VANILLA, I don’t care what the other one is. No store brands please. I did see an ad this morning for Hagan Daz Peppermint Bark Ice Cream, yum!! (no pressure here, though).
3. Toppings for the ice cream.
4. A case of bottled water, NOT gallons, any brand is ok.

The Bob Byron Family
1. Green beans or asparagus (not both) in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. If you are making the green beans, please prepare FOUR pounds, if you are making asparagus please prepare FIVE pounds. It is up to you how you wish to prepare them, no soupy sauces, no cheese (you know how Mike is), a light sprinkling of toasted nuts, or pancetta, or some EVOO would be a nice way to jazz them up.
2. A case of beer of your choice (I have Coors Light and Corona) or a bottle of clos du bois chardonnay (you will have to let me know which you will bring prior to 11/22).

The Lisa Byron Chesterford Family
1. Lisa as a married woman you are now required to contribute at the adult level. You can bring an hors d’ouvres. A few helpful hints/suggestions. Keep it very light, and non-filling, NO COCKTAIL SAUCE, no beans of any kind. I think your best bet would be a platter of fresh veggies and dip. Not a huge platter mind you (i.e., not the plastic platter from the supermarket).

The Michelle Bobble Family
1. Stuffing in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please make the stuffing sans meat.
2. 2.5-3 qts. of mashed squash in a casserole with a lid and serving spoon
3. Proscuitto pin wheel - please stick to the recipe, no need to bring a plate.
4. A pie knife

The June Davis Family
1. 15 LBS of mashed potatoes in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please do not use the over-size blue serving dish you used last year. Because you are making such a large batch you can do one of two things: put half the mash in a regulation size casserole with lid and put the other half in a plastic container and we can just replenish with that or use two regulation size casserole dishes with lids. Only one serving spoon is needed.
2. A bottle of clos du bois chardonnay

The Amy Misto Family (why do I even bother she will never read this)
1. A pumpkin pie in a pie dish (please use my silver palate recipe) no knife needed.
2. An apple pie in a pie dish, you can use your own recipe, no knife needed.

Looking forward to the 28th!!

Marney

 Posted by Bernie Berlin:

“Art Auction”

Capital Campaign to Create the Endowment for

“A Place To Bark”

Become A Founding Artist of a Life Saving Program!

Be The Change You Wish To See In The World:

“Artful Hearts linked by LOVE” Saving The LIVES Of Homeless Pets Thru Artful Giving! 

In the past 5 years we have saved over 2,500 homeless pets!  

This rescue began because of our artist community & every life saved is a testament to the "Art Saves Lives" phrase coined by Jenny Doh. 

I’m a Believer in “We Can Change The World Together”  If people care enough & everyone do just a little bit, whatever that is to you… It’s cumulative.  I’m asking your help to help me, bring this vision to full reality thru your art, your celebrity status, followings, blogs, Tweets, Facebook, whatever you can do or feel moved to do.  

These are some of my links so that you can do some research on me & what I’ve done, to help you better make your decision.  I can talk about what I do, but actions speak louder than words & I’ve worked tirelessly to prove a point.  

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150374539166985

IF this works & we create the endowment, this will be a model for other small non-profit charities to follow.  So I’m focused on the success of this. We as artists, have hands that can create the world we want to see, by making art with our loving hearts.  We many not have money, but we have talent.  And thru that vehicle, we can generate the dollars needed to create endowment to sustain small non-profits.  In these hard times, you are going to see non-profits close like never before.  And we cannot afford this to happen.  

So lets come together for the greater good, make some art & Save Some LIVES!!!

“A Place To Bark”

“Art Auction Specifics”

Specifics:

Size recommended: Any size 8x10 or smaller. 

It makes shipping easier & then you can make more than one if so inclined!

Medium: Any!!!  Just create art with the intention of LIFE & LOVE!!!

ACEOs (Art Cards Editions & Originals) Also encouraged & Welcome!

2/12 x 31/2 inches in size.

Suggested Theme: Pets, LOVE, A Forever Home:

Anything goes !!! Hearts, Houses, Dogs & Cats.  Would love to see colorful & bold! 

But whatever your muse inspires. is what you should create.

I’m personally going to be doing Fun, painterly, collaged, pet paintings!

IF you want to make something other than what is listed go for it! 

We are not going to turn anything down:) 

Or if you just want to clean the art room out, we’ll happily auction if off…

This is going to be a Big Project, to create the endowment from which, will create the foundation & future for “A Place To Bark” So that it will always be there for homeless pets, as long as it is needed!

Art Auction To Create The Endowment will be on going for one year:

November 15, 2011 To December 1, 2012.

Print this check list:

Please include the following information to accompany your donated piece of art:

Name

Address

Phone #

Website

E-mail address

Any other links you would like posted with your artwork

Include your:

Bio

Artist statement

Where your works can be purchased

Estimated retail cost of your piece of artwork

Title & Description of your artwork

Photos are optional.

If you want to help us out even more, burn photos to disc and send along with your art.

If you have a pet, tell me about them & include their photo in your package. 

We LOVE those that brag about their pets!!! It’s all about the happily everJ

I want to do a blog post with all our artists & their pets, so love to hear all your stories!

Last but not least: If you would like to see your artwork work used in multiple ways to help "A Place To Bark" 

 Just include a note, stating you give "A Place To Bark" full permission to use the artwork for fund raising purposes only & sign it. 

This way we can make note cards, calendars, t-shirts, etc…

All rights are retained by the artist and full credit will be made public linking back to the donating artist.

Where to ship:

Bernie Berlin

c/o "A Place To Bark"

P.O. Box 649 Portland, TN 37148

Email: donateyourart@aplacetobark.com

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering making something for the auction!!!

Till there are no more homeless animals, we will continue to rescue & save as many as we can…

“Be A Part Of Something GREAT, SAVING LIVES!!!”

Bernie Berlin

“A Place To Bark”  http://www.aplacetobark.com

“In rescuing dogs, I lost my mind… But found my soul.”

-Author Unknown

 P.S. OSCAR is also Available for adoption!!!  Buy artwork & get a loving friend too:)

I love to learn how to do new things and to try and teach myself how to do new things. One thing I have wanted to learn was how to make the "Quilted" ornaments. I finally got up the nerve to try it and make some and I think they are coming along quite well, if I say so myself!!

This is the first one I made..I love this fabric, kind of shabby chic style.

Top with with handmade rolled rose and lace strip on side..bow forms into a ribbon hanger

This one has more a quilt flavor to me..not quite finished, needs topper and still deciding what to top it with..

This one is all a taffeta material

Still needs sides finished and topper

This one is made to resemble a tuxedo..the white is the shirt, the silver the vest and the black the suit itself. Still need to finish the other side and make topper. This one will be part of a "wedding" set as the  "groom' and the other will be the "bride".

It is a bit intensive still to me working on them and kind of hard on the fingers, but I love making them!!

Oh they are made on Styrofoam balls, using straight pins and various recycled fabrics.

Bless ya'll!

Gen Voss~The Diversified Crafter