Happy New Year 2012

Wishing you the happiest, prosperous new year...

Merry Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas...

Christmas is about sharing something that God has given us. Not just sharing "stuff" but also sharing you talent and blessings.

If you have food in your fridge, you are blessed. If you have family whom you can come home to, you are blessed. For those who can celebrate Christmas without having to worry if someone is going to bomb the church, you are blessed.

Remember those who are in need, who can't be home for Christmas.
Thank you for all the patrons of Bigib, LLC who appreciate my works.

May you have a very blessed Merry Christmas.

How to choose a boots

Well... may be the title is a bit general. I think I should say how I chose a boots. Well... here's how it all begin.

I decided I want a boots for my birthday gift. Not any boots... I want a cowgirl boots with lots of intricate details on the shaft, with heels that looks like a true cowgirl boots and comfortable. Hubby got one for me but not quite what I have in mind. I decided to go to Sheplers

Originally, I'm looking for $40-50 boots. After walking in the store, I realized it won't get me anywhere. There's one Old West Corona Boots that is around $60 but they didn't have my size. So, I have to order one.

The lady in the store helped measure my feet. I'm standing up straight, with the socks on, I saw my toes is touching line number 7 and about 1/16" more. The lady in the store said I'm 7 or 7.5, B or C. ( I have a wide feet). I ordered 7.5 B.

It shipped to my house. I tried it on. It looks great, but few minutes later, I feel something is hurting my toes.... I walked around the house, something is not quite right.

I decided to shop for more boots. With Black Friday is coming, I keep looking for some more options online.

There is one that caught my eye. Ariat Heritage Leather Cowboy Boots- J-toe, Wingtip. It has intricate detail, the color I liked and it was on sale. I decided to buy one and shipped it to my house. It wowed me the minute it came out the box,... I put it on... I walked... and it ouched me. It has a nice sole, nice perfect look I was looking for, but it hurts my toes, again...

Three times is a charm... right? I decided to go to Sheplers again and talked more about how to choose a boots.
I have a wide feet. My option would be square toes instead of pointy toes. Not all square toes are made equal. I tried Ariat Legend square toe, it's still hurts. Looking at my feet, I may need to find a wide square toe shoes.


Heel... I want to have a comfortable everyday boots... I learned there is a cowboy heel and roper heel. The cowboy heel is made for easy horse riding. It looks nicer to me.. but I need the boots for everyday use, not so much for riding.

Sole... Ariat has a special sole technology. It really feels like the sole is gripping your feet.
It feels a very comfortable sole. I would have chose Ariat if only it didn't squeeze my toes.

Shaft... ah... that's where the beauty lies... It shows the details of the boot maker.

After returning Ariat, I finally settled on Boulet Boots. The sole is not as cushy as Ariat's but my toes are happy. I figured, if necessary, I could buy Ariat foot bed or get Dr. Scholl insoles. In addition to that, I love the details and the color of the Boulet Boots.

House for sale in Waukesha Wisconsin

Our house is for sale... may be not quite appropriate for the blog theme, but I think it's blog worthy...



Location:
North west of Waukesha, cross street Meadowbrook and Northview. It's close to St. Anthony's, Meadowbrook, Montessori School, GE Healthcare headquarter, University of Wisconsin - Waukesha, parks, daycare, Sentry, Pewaukee Lake, bike trail, pharmacy, banks.


Features:
3 bedroom, 2 bath, built in 1999, two tiered large freshly painted deck, heated garage, in ground firepit, new patio door glass, new garage door spring, finished semi basement, GE washer, dryer, stove and refrigerator.


Good size kitchen and dinette with lots of cabinet. Main rooms are all in the same level. Finish semi basement is great for a family or recreation room. A secluded den is cable ready for an office. Flat backyard is great for a pool or even possible expansion.



The property is within walking distance to park, bike trail and Meadowbrook elementary school, with tested rating 9 out of 10 by Education.com http://www.education.com/schoolfinder/us/wisconsin/waukesha/meadowbrook-elementary/?page=test-scores#tab-test-scores.
It is near Pewaukee lake, near grocery stores, banks, pharmacy, restaurants, post office, I-94, near daycare, near University Wisconsin Waukesha. The location is private, bordered by mature trees.


Living room is facing some greenery. There is no neighbor across the street.


Main bedroom has a big walk in closet.


One of the bedrooms.

One of the full bathroom

Closed utility room with utility tub.

Did I tell you we have in ground fire pit? We always do a summer solstice party enjoying the fire with friends and family.

A plus: You can see Waukesha fireworks located at Waukesha Fair Ground from the deck. If you are lucky, hot air balloons may be in the area during the Waukesha State Fair. A honey crisp apple tree that will bear fruit in the next year or two and raised vegetable garden ready for planting. Last but not least, this is the place that inspired all the great works I've done...:)
Wouldn't you agree?


Please contact me for info.

Teacher's gift idea

It's Christmas time... what should you give for your teachers? When I post that question on my page, usually the answer would be gift card...

This year, I decided we should do something different... as now my daughter gets a little bit older, she can do handmade items. We decided to make a name necklace.

I let her practice in a piece of copper sheet for several times. Started with the right technique of hand stamping, then try stamping on a straight line and a curve. After 7 tries, she decided to do it on a piece of sterling.



I drilled the hole for jumpring and close soldered it. I think it's a pretty good for a first timer... Wouldn't you agree?

Simple stringing necklace for kids

Looking for a project for kids? How about this simple stringing necklace. You can choose the simple colored beads and some interesting bead for vocal point. The child can learn about pattern, counting and perhaps some patient...



Any stringing material would do as long it fits the holes. I use 49 strand nylon coated steel wire for stringing material. I end the necklace using self closing clasp and jump ring. It turn out that it's so easy to open and close, that she could take the necklace off herself.

What do you think?