Poor penny

My poor neglected blog. I realize it's been several, several days since I've written. Even my brother-in-law asked me tonight what was going on with Penny Carnival. He doesn't exactly sew.

Ironically, I've been busy crafting! Well, last week the election had me totally distracted. (On the subject of current events, did anyone notice First Lady-elect Michelle Obama's orangey-red dress today? Gorgeous! I don't care if it's sexist of me to be concerned about her dress. She looked great.) As a journalist, I can't share my political opinions willy nilly on the Internet, but I will say it was an emotional, powerful week and I still well up with tears when I think of it all.

So, I've also been busy with some deadlines for three craft-related stories going in the paper soon. One dealt with Christmas crafts (done. almost). The next relates to Thanksgiving tabletop projects (due Wednesday). And the last one is about giving new life to secondhand clothes (haven't even started).

Some stories fall together effortlessly. The Christmas craft story has been a comedy of errors. My original idea for it fell through. Twice. Then I got stranded across the state with a car that somehow attracted mice (maybe just one mouse. hopefully) who ate through the wires in my engine, making it impossible to get home to my craft room. Finally, the amazingly talented Arlene McComas of Heart Rocks Home saved the day with some of her Christmas crafts from years' past.

Take a look at just a few of the photos she sent me of her work, keeping in mind that everything here was made from recycled, unwanted materials (the gist (jist?) of the story).

(made from secondhand wool skirts. she made a basketful for each of her grandchildren after remembering how her own kids liked playing with "multiples" of anything when they were young)

(made from wood scraps and a quilting pattern. again, another gift for her grandkids. for each child, she placed entire nativity sets--including blocks you don't see here--in bags she sewed from old flour sacks)

(made from paper grocery sacks. she ties them onto gifts)

(made from junk mail and paint chips)

Thank you, Arlene. You saved the day.

In other blog news, Penny Carnival is about to become a big sister. No, I'm not pregnant (nor do I normally refer to my blog as a child). I'm going to be starting a new blog very soon. It'll be mostly geared for people who live in the Spokane area and will be a combination of home, garden, craft and green topics. And, get this, someone's actually going to pay me to do it. How's that for a novel concept? I'll post more about it here as we get closer.

Thanks for sticking around, folks. More crafts coming soon.

Comments

[Arlene]

Thanks Megan..you make me look so good. Hope you find your way back over the mountain.

[Carolyn L.]

Who's going to pay you to blog? That's excellent news!

[Nis]

Man, I was starting to wonder where you were. Well, I knew "where" you were (and with which four legged furry friends!) but thought you'd perhaps abandoned the blogosphere ala Stacey and gone to Saipan in spirit! :) The new project sounds fun... can't wait to see it. Can you use the proceeds to come visit us in P-Town? Please?

[Megan]

Thanks, guys.
Nis--I think the proceeds will pay for the mouse damage to our car first. Then Portland. OK, now it's sounding like I'm going to be paid a lot. I'm not. But any pay at all is good.
Arlene--I take absolutely no credit for making you look good. You're a superstar. You need to write a craft book.
Carolyn--here's a clue: a short elevator ride away from you.

[Carolyn L.]

Oh, you got that gig we were talking about! Whoo hoo. Back on the payroll. Nice work!

And it looks like my employment will continue into the new year. Whew ...

[Megan]

That's great, Carolyn! I'm so glad.

[Klay]

Oooh! I'm excited about he new blog. Hope it will be as fun to read as the Penny Carnival!

[Megan]

Thanks, Klay. I'm excited, too.

[Cherie]

Glad to hear about the new blog, Megan. I was just asking Cheryl-Anne a couple of weeks ago if she was going to be blogging. I am glad we (in Spokane) have you. The articles in the Metro are just too short.

[Megan]

Thanks, Cherie! As any editor who has ever worked with me will tell you, I definitely don't have a problem writing too short. They are always very patient with me and my endless blather.