I'm starting with pictures of my latest creations, which I was too tired to post last night. Today's blog will follow!
After creating the bejeweled hand mirror for Marlene, she commissioned me to make some more pieces, including a hand mirror and tray for her daughter, who owns a yoga studio in California. I love doing pieces like this, because I am creating something around a theme specifically for someone. I'm taking something they are passionate about and making it into art!
As you can see, this mirror, made of Ivory Pyralin (an early plastic that looked like ivory), had seen better days -- but who can blame it when it's almost 100 years old! Remarkably, the mirror itself was in excellent condition. What I love about it is it was made in the early 1900s, and has lasted all these years, but no one wanted it because it was so ugly looking. I used paper to beautify it and give it a new lease on life!
Same story with this yoga tray (which I photographed after I glued the first picture on!). It's from the same period -- early 1900s -- and will now look beautiful for a long, long time!
Here's an ad I found for a set that resembles this very closely. I guess when they were new they looked like ivory and were quite beautiful, but they stain and discolor and don't have the same appeal.
I had a great time with these pieces, partly because I am a huge fan of yoga. I only wish I lived close enough to her studio to go and take classes there!
Besides the yoga tray and mirror, I had made another hand mirror for Marlene, this one with a butterfly theme, which I have already shown on the last entry of this crafts blog.
Marlene was interested in some other pieces, which I completed months ago and which were on consignment at GILI ANNA'S beautiful shop in La Jolla. Marlene had seen them on this crafts blog and told me she was interested, so I picked them up from Gili and brought them home.
Last night, Marlene made another trip with her boyfriend, Chris, and visited me to pick up my latest creations, and the pieces she saw which I got from Gili.
She ended up buying two of my absolute favorites -- the bejeweled tissue box and the bejeweled mirrored tray. I put my heart and soul into those pieces and I'm so glad they went to someone as beautiful, sweet and inspirational as Marlene.
Marlene is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. She always has something positive to say -- whether it's on the phone, in an email, or when she comes to visit. She brightens the room when she enters.
I also love her, because she's a "glitzy glamour girl" -- just like me. She loves to sparkle and shine and that she does -- so beautifully!
I am thrilled that she is so happy with all her purchases and I hope her daughter loves the yoga mirror and tray, too!
So, here's today's story. I had gotten my paycheck back in the mail from Citibank, because (after depositing a check once a week for 10 months) they decided they didn't want to accept a check for "Peppy Greenberg." My legal name is on the account, but I've been depositing checks as Peppy for 25 years! I was flabbergasted.
I called last night and they said I should have my nickname added to the account. No problem. So, I went to the bank this morning and they told me that I had to see a customer service person -- the teller couldn't do it. The guy was busy with some people and was nice enough to tell me that it would be at least 15 minutes, so I decided to go to the post office. I had to tell them to hold my mail for the two weeks I'm going to be in NY.
When I got in the car my phone rang. I was hoping it was Eric, because I had called him and gotten his voicemail. I figured maybe he was out riding. It wasn't Eric. It was an automated machine telling me there was "suspicious activity" on my charge card and if I could verify it. It was a charge today at Target in Westbury for over $400. Now, it could very well have been Eric, but I hadn't been in touch with him, so how could I know? I told them (by pressing keys) that I wasn't sure if it was right or not. Then, I went to the post office and filled out the form to have my mail held.
On my way back to Citibank I stopped at STARBUCKS. I had to have SOME fun, didn't I? With my non-fat mocha latte in hand, I went back to Citibank. I sat down with Gustavo and he told me that although he could put a note on my account, it really wouldn't help unless I deposited the check with a teller. If it was deposited at the ATM it goes somewhere else and they're not going to look for notes, they might just reject it -- as they did this time.
I explained my frustration and he understood perfectly. I told him I've been Peppy for as long as I've had that account and I've ALWAYS deposited checks made out to Peppy Greenberg. I also told him I've been depositing checks from this particular company (the temp agency) for 10 months and couldn't understand why they chose this time to reject it. He couldn't explain it. It's just bad business.
I told him this could have been disastrous, if checks had bounced, but -- luckily -- I have "Checking Plus" which means they automatically loan me money (up to $12,000) if there's not enough funds in my account, so I never have bounced checks.
He agreed that it wasn't fair, because he said someone named Charles could deposit checks made out to Chuck, and someone named Robert could deposit checks made out to Bob, but I couldn't use my nickname without a chance there would be a problem. He suggested that I get my paycheck directly deposited (which is not a bad idea) and also suggested that, from now on, instead of depositing checks with the ATM that I come into the bank on Saturdays to deposit with a teller. It's a bit of an inconvenience, but I'll do it to avoid further problems.
When I got out of the bank I got a call from Eric. He told me he had gone to Target with his sister, Rachel, and had a problem with his card because he tried to use it once for himself, and once for her (and she was paying him back with cash). He tried to call himself, but since my name is the major cardholder they wouldn't accept his SS # or any other info, so I had to do it. He's so sweet, because he didn't want to bother me and he didn't want to upset me, so he tried to resolve it himself (which I REALLY appreciate), but he couldn't.
Anyway, I was quite relieved to find out it WAS him, so I called and had the "hold" lifted and everything was fine.
After that, I went to the shopping center and got some stuff at MICHAEL'S (I had another 50% off coupon) and then picked up three jackets I had altered at the tailor. She does such beautiful work. Now, I have plenty of clothes for work!
I went back to BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY and tried on more jeans and bought two more pairs! Now, I have one pair that's black denim, one pair that's very dark blue denim, and one pair that's a more faded denim. They all fit great and don't need any alterations, so I'm thrilled! I also bought a pair of shoes that have three colors in suede -- black, dark grey and light grey. Since two of my new jackets are grey (one's a tweed and one's a grey fabric) I thought they'd be great. They're really fun and comfy and were only $12.99!
When I got home I watched some TV (KITCHEN NIGHTMARES and some decorating shows) and then did two loads of laundry. Then, I posted an entry to my crafts blog (which is the text and pictures above).
I got my OMRON Pocket Pedometer Model HJ-112 in the mail today! It was easy to set up and I already took 383 steps just walking to the laundry room and back! I’m loving this thing already!
You have to take ten steps and measure how many inches it is. Then, you program it into the pedometer, along with the time and your weight. The only problem is, it says it turns off automatically if no buttons are pushed for 5 minutes. Well, I took it off and haven’t used it for hours, but it’s not turning off! At this rate, the battery will probably die in 2 days!
I started working on a project for the party next Saturday. I’m trying to make a little favor for each guest. I know – I’m crazy since there are about 40 people coming. It’s just that I love to do this, and it’s really not a big project, it’s just that making 40 is a challenge.
I started around 7:00pm – and I put on 5 CDs playing “random”, so they’re all mixed up, and I worked until the CD player stopped, meaning every song on every CD had played – which is almost 5 hours! I had on two MICHAEL BUBLE CDs, two JOSH GROBAN CDs, and MICHAEL FEINSTEIN, so it was all guys, all classics and all great music to decoupage by!
At around midnight I stopped and I only made 14 of the 40 I will need. I guess I’ll have my work cut out for me tomorrow! I really want to finish tomorrow, because the only nights I’ll have free are Monday and Wednesday and I need to pack!
I started taking clothes out of the closet and putting together outfits, but I don’t want to put everything in the suitcase until the last minute, so things don’t wrinkle. I’m pretty sure Eric doesn’t have an iron, so if I need it I’ll have to borrow from someone, so I am hoping nothing gets too wrinkled!
I’m exhausted and I’m going to bed. I really did a lot today, and I know I’ll be busy tomorrow, too. I have to go food shopping and try to finish 26 more favors! Wish me luck!