Tommy's Toy Chest

Well Trained Cat.

2012-01-02T22:04:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that I have gotten lax with my cats. I demand from the beginning to keep them off the tables and counters. At first I allow them to crawl up under the Xmas tree and then I get a bit more lax and not yell when they start crawling across the coffee table to avoid getting kicked or to avoid having to jump twice. But laying down on the coffee table and letting some one take their picture be taken only leads to other things.

Oh well, since he now has decided to jump up on the kitchen table and hides behind my computer screen. He jumps up on the counter and relaxes when I am not then he looks offended when I catch him at it.

Life is crazy sometimes,
Kate

He got bigger!

2011-06-28T01:44:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest picture of Gypsy! He now outweighs Dufus I think. His legs are really long. I think he is mad that I bothered him. He is one of the most independent cats I have ever met.

New Day, New Year, New Start

2011-04-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

It seems I do this every year, I hope that this year it will stick. At least some of the changes I have planned should come to fruition.

We will be restarting the business aspect of our lives.

Though we know that The Toychest can only be a hobby, we will be playing in the local Craft shows. We can't afford to travel out of town anymore.

It is a very sad thing to put that dream aside but we all have to move on. I hope that we can regain the fun of creating and drop the worry of trying to pay the bills which has made the creativity a study in blocking.

My interests have moved into The Steanpunk Culture recently and I am excited about the possibilities of a whole new wardrobe to play in.

The idea is so fun.

One of the things I am encountering, as with any recreation area is a preponderance of folks who say what has to be. Do these people not look at the folks walking down the street.

Sure they are all wearing clothes that are made up of the same pieces (shirts ,pants, skirts, blouses,jackets, and hats) they are as varied as the folks that wear them. I have worn T-shirts and 501s for the

past 40 years but the embellishments and accessories have changed over the years. Plus what I wear to dress up has changed over those same years. Many of us have to wear very boring uniforms everyday

whether for work or school so our personality and interest must be shown after hours.

Ah once again the rambling of my mind makes its way down the nerves to my clumsy fingers.

Anyway keep in touch and check back here to see or find the new links to new blogs.

I have been planning a blog on Zombies, and a new one to showcase my ideas for steampunk.

More views if this was more up to date.

2010-06-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

I keep berating myself to get off my duff and work my various sites so they would be interesting enough for people to come visit. I have always known that the way to get people to buy my wonderful merchandise is for them to see it.

I also know that folks won't come to my stores and sites unless there is something new and fun at the place they are going to. Why should you go visit someplace if everything is the same. It is very simple to change stuff around so it is fun to visit. Some folks just want to know you are active and care. How long will it take the person to notice a sale if they haven't changed their site in 6 month's?

As I write this I remember that the last thing I put up on this wonderful site is from Xmas and it is almost the 4th of July. In a little while I will be putting up my newest creation. It is a double-decker Weeble wagon. I got it made 2month's ago and I haven't put it on any of my sites yet.

I should have put my butt in gear a few weeks ago.

Well that is enough whining for now, I am hoping that I might be able to keep my spirits up.

I will write again soon.

Outside Xmas Decoration

2009-12-17T00:09:00.000-08:00

We finally got the lights up for Xmas . Later this week we will get started on the inside. I of course am way to busy to do any of this. I think that I should get my decorating done during the slow time in July. Maybe that is why the stores have their Xmas in July sales.Who Knows.

New Kitty home from the Vet.

2009-10-10T01:34:00.000-07:00

We sent the new Kitten (Gypsy ) to the Vet today. He needed to get fixed. He wasn't happy about it and he is now wearing the cape of doom. He won't be wearing it long but I don't think he will forgive me for awhile. The older one was annoyed and concerned that he was in for the same treatment.

Zombie Crobot

2009-08-22T23:08:00.000-07:00

I finally finished this Zombie Crobot . Isn't he cute? Poor little guy he definitely needs repairs. Anyway! I hope you like him. Enjoy.

2009-08-06T00:40:00.000-07:00

Isn't he just as cute as he can be. He is also a handful . Gypsy is one of the most active little kittens I have ever had.

They really are freinds.

2009-07-27T21:19:00.000-07:00

I knw the last upload doesn't look it but the cats really do get along. Dufus actually does a bit more than put up with the new kitten. I think he might actually like him. Dufus seems to be a happier cat now that there is some one to do stuff with.

Dufus and Gypsy.

2009-07-27T20:57:00.000-07:00

We still have the new Kitty "Gypsy". He is getting along very well with the old cat and teaching him all knids of fun things like, how t play nice. Gypsy's bathing habits are better than Dufus's. He is now sharing that responsibility. Anyway weare havinga great tie with him.

New Kitty Gypsy

2009-07-07T00:27:00.000-07:00

I know that it has been a very long time since my last writing. We have a new Kitty, to replace the three we lost last year. Panser, Lizzie and Saski moved on the Circle last year. We miss them alot and enjoyed the time they spent with us. Now we have a new friend to share the wonders of the world with. He is quite young, maybe three months. He doesn't quite fall over when he shakes his head, but, we know that is a new thing. I guess he is a toddler. He is very freindly and curious. His fur is very soft. We have enjoyed the last three days that he has spent with us and hope that there will be many more.
Hopefully we will have many fun things to post from now on.
Peace, Kate

Long time no see.

2009-01-06T23:06:00.000-08:00

It is hard to beleive but it is 2009. I haven't been here since July . I guess that was because I got involved with deviant art and some other sites. Facebook and a few others. It is a bit crazy around here. I guess depression and illness can be partof the problem. I am finally realizing that to get any kind of response on your internet publications you must spend some time getting to know people and places. I guess the old networking jive is as true as it always was. Having an internet presence is not the only way to make a fortune.Youcan makea decent ammount of money selling stuff door to doorif you go out everyday and knockon those doors. But if you don't go out you won't sell anything . You have to put your stuff in front of the public. Wh y are we so convinced this life owes us good things. We are born with great potential. We must make the best of it. We can't do anything just sitting in our houses waiting for it to happen. Many of us were active in demonstrations in the 60'and 70's and we were able to make a bit of difference in this great country of ours , but we got tired and got involved in the "grownup" portions of our lives. Now that we have finished most of that we should open our eyes and help our children fix the problems that our lack of attention allowed to happen. Didn't we care about our neighbors and the behavior of the people around us. We now just wander through our lives and don't even worry about what is happening around us. Oh well I am waxing philosophical so I should put my musings into action.

Anyway I have to post some more items onto my Etsy site and decide what should go on E-bay. I have to figure out how to increase my income by 300 per cent in this wonderful depressed economy. It should be interesting keep checking in and watch the ride.

Weeble Wagons and Old Toys

2008-07-10T16:21:00.000-07:00

I found this great new site that is devoted to art and stuff . It is called deviant art .com. Tom turned me on to it. If you want some inspiration or just want to see some great stuff from all over the world check it out. It is a lot of fun. There is quite a bit of fan art but, we can all use a bit of fun.
This is a picture of some more of my toys I just noticed that one of T's stuffy's snuck in the. The round thing that resembles a top is really an old fashioned Yo-Yo. They are really great! You can't mess them up. I always hit some part of my own anatomy with regular YO-YO. I love making toys and games. I guess it comes from being a Mom for such a long time. The Wheeled thing laying on its side is a wooden worm. It is a favorite of toddler's. We made it just the right size for little hands that grasp everything. I also like the Weeble Wagon it has lots of little people that can go on great adventure.

We all need to take fantasy adventures atleast once in awhile. The stress that we all put each other and ourselves under is way to much. Since we are a tribal based creature we ought to spend more time on gathering then on competition.

Well since I am getting Preachy I had better quit.

July 5 No More Fireworks

2008-07-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess that living in Vegas I should be used to fireworks. We (The City and Casinos) tend to blow things up at the drop of a hat. Sometimes, I dream of seeing old buildings and such around here but, Vegas destroys and then scraps and then builds a brand new shiney building. The essence of a throwaway culture.
nywy I thought I would look at these masks on the web and get some inspiration to make some more. I have had images of a new Green Man mask running through my head but I haven't quite got the feeling right yet. Maybe tonight. I am a bit weird, I have to actually see what I want to make in my mind before I can begin work on it. I guess that someothers feel the same way. But I see others burn to create lots of stuff daily. I often wish that I was that way.

That is enough waxing philosophical, The masks are from natural vegatable tanned doeskin soaked in water and white glue as a stiffener. I hope that you like them.

New Toys and Old Songs

2008-06-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

The other night I spent about 5 hours copying some of my old albums to CD. Crosley has a couple of cool machines to make this easy for those of us who are still a bit clumsy in the tech department. It also helps if you just want to make the memories easier to listen to. I know the quality of sound isn't as good as a new CD but memories don't need perfect renditon. There aren't to many people who would believe that I had an Old Monkees album hidden in that pile.To tell the truth I was surprised . I was happy to find the old Belefonte and Burl Ives though. Having Two Boys my sound devices have been filled with Metal and Techno to much of late. I guess I should get an Mp3 played and stay plugged in most of the time and give my ears a rest. Anyway along with copying old albums I saved some pictures of a couple of my toy designs to prove that I really do that. Hope you can relate to rocking horses and push toys. We enjoy making them and seeing the faces of kids that that think all toys have to be loud and plastic.

Masks Finally Finished

2008-06-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

We finally put means to attach the Masks onto your face. It only took about 4 months. Procrastination is such a good thing. Now that I have finally finished these then maybe I can start working on different materials. We finally have summer weather here so evenings are much more pleasant. I hope that you enjoy this the latest post.
Have a happy!!

Back Again

2008-06-06T01:23:00.000-07:00

It has been many months since I have visited. I guess I am a bad blogger. I will post some pictures tomorrow. Once again I will come up with reasons to put off putting stuff up. I suppose that is the song I always sing. Why do today what you can put Off until tomorrow.
I think you might like to see me when I am kicking back with freinds . We are enjoying a beautiful spring day here. The second picyure is another one of my cats. He is pretty laid back when he is asleep. At other times he is a very noisy creature. He tries to make up for his diminuative size by mouthing off all the time. He thinks that he can take on the whole world.I guess it is because he is a boy cat.
I have been talking about getting more stuff on the net for many months and have continued to come up with excuses for way to long, I guess I am as full of hot air as my little kitty cat. Boy Howdy would he be mad if he heard that. He thinks that we cannot do with out him.

Our pool is finally ready to be used for relaxation and fun. Maybe the weather will calm down enough for us to enjoy it soon.

I guess that I should realize that it is Okay to ramble on on these things. Since people don't really read them after all. I could be wrong but it doesn't matter anyway.

Hve a great Day!!!

Memorial to Saski

2008-03-08T21:12:00.000-08:00

We lost Saski Cat to old age yesterday. It has been 16 years of very good friendship. She was a funny c o at in that she only attached herself to one person. At first it was Mom and then when Mm got a new kitten she felt deserted and she turned to me. But since the other cats didn't object I took care of her. We will miss her. This year has been hard on us in the pet department. We has lost three, a Guinea Pig, my old buddy Panser, and now Saski.
Tomorrow is a new beginning and we will find some new pets to share our lives. These will be more portable so they can enjoy our adventures on the road and camping.
Well enough of that . time to get busy with other projects.
Thanks for listening.

We Have Made It Back Home!!

2008-02-21T11:28:00.000-08:00

We went to Estrella War and had a great time even though it was cold and very wet. The S.C.A (Society for Creative Anachronism ) is like a big family. The War is the only time I get to see many old freinds. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Leather Masks Description

2008-02-09T22:59:00.000-08:00

I have been asked for more detail regarding our masks.
They are made from Doeskin that was soaked in water prior to molding.
After they dried we decorated them and fixed them.
If anybody is interested , they will be for sale at the Estrella War next week.

War Masks Part 2

2008-02-09T20:50:00.000-08:00

Part two the Revenge of the Masks!!

Maks finished for WAR!!!

2008-02-09T20:33:00.000-08:00

We have finished quite a few masks for the Estrella War. Thought you all might enjoy seeing them. We might later put them on Ebay! Enjoy them, Please.

Getting Ready For War!!

2008-02-07T21:48:00.000-08:00

We are getting ready to go to Estrella. So we might not be around for a bit. Take care . Have fun and see you soon.

New Leather Masks!!!

2008-02-03T00:50:00.000-08:00

Yes i finally did it!! I did take pictures of the New Masks!! I hope that you like them.

Bye Bye

Lizzie and Saski

2008-02-03T00:35:00.000-08:00

Hi! I know I said that I would Post pictures of my new masks but I just love the new pictures of the cats. Lizzie just came into the house after living out side for a year and one half. Saski (the black one) is my old lady and seems to get along well with lizzie. I will post the mask pics in a couple .
Bye for now.

Hi!!!

2008-02-02T01:12:00.000-08:00

Hopefully tomorrow I will get around to posting pictures of my latest Leather Masks. I have to recharge my habdy dandy digital camera.

I have enjoyed working with the leather.

Bye-bye

Picture finally

2008-01-26T23:52:00.000-08:00

Ifinally put a picture up.

Long time no see.

2008-01-25T21:33:00.000-08:00

I guess I ought to visit more often if I want any one to pay attention to this. We have been playing with some new ideas around here . Mostly to avoid silly things like having to put up with family for the Holidays.

Anyway, we have been playing with leather and trying to make masks. The information available isn't very helpful. It seems that experimentation is the only way. We have had some success and we will have some pictures soon.

The other thing we are going to finish this week are games made out of canvas sheets and rocks. They are very portable. We are making them so they can fit into pockets or pouches.
I will get more pictures on this site soon.

Well that is enough for now. I have to finish the cookies .
Kate

Finally I get to speakout

2007-09-10T00:28:00.000-07:00

I guess it should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I don't talk about much but sometimes I need to rant. I guess this is a good place to do that since no one will look at this if I don't let them know it is here. I have been trying to figure out a way to get a presence on the web without having to do anything for years. Magic doesn't work. Thinking real hard doesn't work either. I have forgotten all the lessons of my youth. I knew that when I wanted something done I was supposed to at least put things in motion, but now it seems I think that it will magiucally get done. I used to have a few partners that helped but they have moved on to greater or at least different things. As I ramble and feel sorry for my self it really seems silly. I guess that is the beauty of a blog since you can read your thought and see how they would sound to others. Well that is enough for now I can now vegitate for tonight and actually do something for once.

Daggers and Swords Oh My!!

2007-09-01T23:19:00.000-07:00

This is one of the new daggers that I have gotten for my shop. I really like it. This is one of a

whole line of wonderful wooden swords. They come in lots of great colors. My Friend Cat from www.woodendragon.com makes them for me :)
over next few weeks I'll post more pictures
The toy maker Sadow1955