Creative Chaos

The Good....The Bad....and The Ugly.......

Let's start with the ugly........I just spent the last 20 minutes trying to kill a fly.  It has been buzzing (very louding I might add) around here all morning and then vanishing into thin air just long enough for me to start this post in peace and then pop back out to taunt me.  I finally got the rolled up newspaper and went to war with it.    I managed to swat the vermin just enough to injure it (and take down my folder of ledger paper in the process) and render it in a loud buzzing, partially comatose state where it landed between the blinds and the desk.

I had to crawl under the desk and wedge myself beween the back portion and the window while trying to reach it with the newspaper.  Somehow, like a little "Houdini Fly", it found a way to escape and buzz it's way into the kitchen and beyond where I haven't seen it since........Let's just keep it that way.  Apparently, it senses with it's little fly brain that I mean business and if it has any smarts at all, it will not show it's little winged body back here again.......

Now on with the bad....

Remember when it was your birthday and it was the one day you were so excited to go to school (that and field trip days).  But then tragedy struck and the worse thing possible happened.....you got sick.  Well, unfortunately, that happened over at the Chaos househould on Friday.  Cosme picked Carlos up after school on Thursday afternoon and took him bike riding.  Upon returning home, Carlos looked like he just completed the third leg of the Ironman Challenge.  I asked him if he was alright and he said "Yes, of course!"  Then, about 10 minutes later when he was lying on the couch staring at a tv that was tuned off (which was when I immediately knew he was sick) he added "my throat hurts when I swallow."   Uh oh.......It just got worse from there resulting in a (as Carlos like to say) "rough night" and the decision to "keep him home" morning.  Luckily, he seemed to be ok on Friday with the sore throat but no longer a fever so I let him play on the computer during the day in between resting on the couch.

 

He kept his crown on the whole day.....too cute.  Do you see that card with the robot on it?  When you open it, it plays Mr. Roboto (the song by Styx) Anyway, he LOVES that song.  He would keep opening it and letting it play while playing on the computer.   Finally, on my absolute last nerve (but with a smile because it was his birthday), I promised him we would download the song from iTunes if he wouldn't play the card anymore.  Luckily, and thankfully, for my sanity, he obliged.

Here are the little favors for the class that sat around all weekend......Thank goodness I didn't make cupcakes.......

Super fun...Super Easy!  I just took little take out containers from Michael's, filled them with treats and topped then with party favors and ribbons from Target.  Simple as that.   You could also put cute little name tags on them and go way over the top decorating them....but I didn't have the time.  nonetheless, the kids loved them.

Luckily all was well by Saturday evening when he opened a couple more gifts and we went out to dinner at his current favorite restaurant...Islands......

Where Andres colored away.......

where Carlos got to have a sundae for his birthday in addition to the shake he had with dinner.....

And, where mommy had the "Lava Rush".......

Just wanted to get an early start on what I like to lovingly refer to from here on out as "Mommapalooza Day 2008"......the "Good" part of this post.......

The morning started by sleeping in until 8:30 while breakfast was being picked up from "The Original Pancake House".  My morning meal was then served in a spotless kitchen with the sound of laundry being done in the next room.  While I lingered over coffee and the morning paper, kids were quickly, dressed, packed up and taken away by the same husband who fed me the delicious strawberry & cream waffles.

   

As I lovingly waved to happy children who were escorted out the door by a Papa who promised to be gone as long as he could, I couldn't contain my excitement anymore.........I closed the door at 10:00 am and looked ahead to an entire day by myself.....in my pajamas.....fueled by coffee, leftover banana pancakes and the sheer adreneline of knowing the whole day was mine to craft as I chose.  I turned on my cable radio and skipped between my two favorite stations....."the 70's" and "Old School Rap."   Because nothing says crafting better in the Chaos world than alternating between "Staying Alive" by The Bee Gees and "Bring on the Noise" by NWA......Seriously, I was in heaven.  And when I'm in "Crafting Heaven" this is what happens........

A bevy of crowns for "Teacher Appreciation Week"......

A cake still baking.......

one already baked for Carlos' teacher for her birthday......

Went from the "studio" to the kitchen table which was set up with the sewing machine so I could fulfill the seamstress in me......

Then I turned into a jewelry designer to make all sorts of baubles for our school's silent auction............

 

 

Phew.....Ok.....gotta run and get Carlos from school....but I'll be back with more....Karin

The Trifecta Day.......

And it's not even my birthday or Mother's Day yet.   I had a massage this morning.....strolled over to the neighboring Starbucks for my favorite Chai Tea Latte.....then drove approximately 1/2 a mile to Beverly's Fabric & Craft store where I used my 40% off coupon (although I'm still trying to figure out how 40% off of a $20.00 pair of scissors comes to $42.00.  Hmmmmmmmm.  And it happens to me everytime.) 

So in my calm and relaxed state of mind, I finally figured out how to do this:

My First Mosiac of Favorites
Originally uploaded by creative chaos

I'm so excited.  I felt like I had to infiltrate the 4th secure level of the top secret Flickr vault to finally figure this out.   Yes.....I know.  Everyone and their 5 year old is doing it nowadays.  However, I could not for the life of me see on the flickr site where you made the mosaic.  At first, I thought it was only offered to the pro accounts.  Once I became a "pro" I still couldn't find it.  Eventually discovered it's on a totally separate website.  Well, well, well......once I hit that site there sat a plethora of fun incredibly time wasting things for me to do.   There is this magazine cover maker thingy.....omg.....I'm heading right back over there to make one.  I can't wait.   The boys are on their own tonight for dinner.......again.  Talk to you later!   Karin

Oh for the love of typeface.......this is my 4th attempt to get the font size to go to the normal size.....I've got a magazine cover to do and have no time for this nonsense.......

Seriously, I don't know why you people put up with me......

Need a reason?  How about the fact that I haven't sent out the gift tags for the Spring into Action Giveaway..... I sent the earrings last week.  I just got an email from Natalie at Kandeland telling me that I won a giveaway over there. She was right on top of everything......gift was wrapped and ready to go.....postage was paid.....she was practically at my door handing it to me personally.....this was all within minutes of my saying "WOW!  I won!"    All the while, I have gift tags under various piles of papers just begging me to just send them out the door to their intended owners..... I'm so lame..... I made all the tags.......  And, then, they promptly got lost under a pile of stuff during the past month of my crazy crafting days.   Don't believe me?  Well, I present to you, Exhibit A:   

Have you ever run into a situation where you accumulated so much crafting materials around you that you effectively cut yourself off from your craft table?   Need a ribbon hanging on the wall in the back?  Tough luck.... it's in exile.  Need a paint brush?  Too bad....no way to get there.  AND, even if I could get to the table, it's not like I can work on it.  Do you see more than 2 inches of space?  No.  So, guess who's going to be spending the next 2 days cleaning......then I get to do the fun "Look at my cool craft space" post.  But, it's not all just for looks.  I have four crowns to do for Teacher Appreciation Week, a Lego Crown to do for Carlo's "real" Birthday Day, a bunch of jewelry and art piece for our school's Silent Auction, and I would really love to get some items in my Etsy shop.  So it's mandatory cleaning time. 

On to bigger and and much tidier things.........

As much as I would love tell you that this is my "after" shot of my nice new clean studio.....I can't.   But, it is the next best thing.....It's A NEW Scrapbook Boutique in my neck of the woods.  For the love of paper and glitter, someone pinch me and tell me this isn't just a dream.   I was in complete heaven today wandering the aisles of this fabulous new store that is run by Michelle White and Helle Greer called PaperTales.   I heard about it while blog hopping (it's kind of like bar hopping but with out the hang-over and regrets)  Anyway, I went from Joy's blog to Michelle's blog and almost had a heart attack when I saw that they were opening the new store on May 1st.  I thought maybe I could camp out in front of the store the week before they opened.....you know,  just to stare at all the new merchandise coming in and to guarantee the first spot on opening day.  But, then I thought....maybe I might scare them a bit and get arrested for loitering.... so I decided to just hang back and play it cool.  Although, I'm not sure if Michelle was put off by my screams of excitement when I walked through the door, she didn't show it as she walked me around the store while pointing out all the amazing lines they carried.  She is so sweet and so nice.......and we had so much fun talking about blogs and craft and how this crazy crafty world of ours is brought closer by cyberspace. 

I managed to remember my camera so I have a bunch of great pics....Take a look for yourself.....

 

 

Now, of course, you have to understand that I HAD to bring the "CEO of Tomfoolery" of Chaos Industries with me to this event.  As you can see, he immediately made himself at home.........

Whereby, making the immediate decision (based on a Hot Wheels coloring book, crayons, a kalidescope and child-size table and chairs) that we were moving the Chaos Headquarters to PaperTales. 

I told him it wasn't practical and I hardly thought that they would allow Thomas the Train decor alongside the Glittered Chipboard.  But, he insisted, and told me to draft the contract........And then, of course, just as I had Michelle convinced that Bob the Builder is the next new thing to hit the Scrap Industry, I turn around, and what do I find......him lounging on the couch with grandma.....

 

That's it.......

I'm asking for a raise!   And trust me........ I'm going to need it for all my trips to my newfound Scrap Boutique.  This is what I ended up getting.......

So, if you are in the San Diego area, this is going to be the place to be!  Now as much as I want to dig into my new paper, I have a Lego Crown that is awaiting my attention......Talk to you soon!!  Karin 

 

I present to you..........

Homemade Buttercream Frosting.......

plus poundcake from Costco.......

plus marshmallows .........

plus some food coloring......

Equals............

A LEGO BIRTHDAY CAKE!

and

One Happy Lego Crazy Kid......

Too funny about these cakes....I thought about how I was going to construct these cakes for days.  I finally came up with the poundcake/marshmallow combo.  Of course I took full credit for the design all day Saturday for all who asked about the cake....once again thinking I'm so beyond genius there isn't even a word for it.   Then today before I wrote this post I came up with the bright idea to Google "Lego Birthday Cake".....and VIOLA!  Look what I found..... A Lego CakeTutorial.   Not only can't I take credit for it.....but they look way better than mine!  Oh well.......Carlos loved them and that's all that matters!   

Now we're off to celebrate my Husband's Birthday tonight.......which happens to be the same day as Cinco de Mayo!   Talk to you later!  Karin

Well........I'm still here.......

Apparently, People Magazine does not subscribe to the same definition of genius that I do.  Whatever.   I didn't want to have to get a new driver's license picture anyway.  If they can't appreciate the conditions under which I work  (for example, the micromanagement I have to put up with from the boss of Chaos Industries........as you can see below, he falls asleep on my arm right in the middle of my trying to complete a project on a very tight deadline.)

then I will just have to move on with my fallback plan...... which is basically just doing the same exact thing I've been doing for the past year....just kvetching on my blog.   Plus, my sister and niece came in to town from Michigan this week and I would have missed out on all the fun.

In the meantime, while awaiting my my plane tickets from New York, I've been "baking" up a few more cakes. I present to you "Lemon Chiffon Cake"..........

And just because I like to keep it real around here at the Chaos blog.......Here is a picture of the "dark side" of the cake.  There were a few minor glitches.........

 

 

Off to lead my exciting life......I'm going to Costco to get ready for Carlos' birthday party tomorrow.  I'm still trying to figure out how to make a Lego cake.....will the excitement ever end...... Talk to you soon! 

I'm such a genius......

Sometimes I'm so genius, I can't even take myself anymore....... Case in point:  I've come up with the 101 of the 100 Hot Star Tips.....Yep.  I did.  I managed to come up with one more tip.  I know, I know...... the others were so fabulous it would be hard to top any of one of them.  But, I did it.  So take a seat and look at Tip #101.....

My "Strawberry Shortcake & Cream" Cake.  You simply just look at it and pretend that you are eating a slice of strawberry shortcake.  You could even pop a real strawberry in your mouth and just pretend it's drenched in whipped cream.  Or, you could even eat this one.....I don't think cardboard has any calories...well, even if it does, it can't be that many....... 

Anyhow, if you don't see me blogging for a while it just means the People magazine picked me up as a staff writer and I had to move to New York.  I'm sure they will be calling me any minute.  I've got my bags packed and ready.   

So before I jet off, I wanted to share with you the cutest bag I saw at La Maison.  It's by Denise of Hope Tree Studio.  I saw it at the Barn but had no idea that she made it until I went on her blog. I asked her if I could post a picture and she sent me these.  Isn't it great.......

It's made of burlap with a monogrammed handkerchief and vintage components.  I just love it!

So, I'm working on some more cake goodies.....just to have a little variety in life you know.   I'm baking up a Lemon Chiffon Cake.....and a Chocolate Cream Cake.....and a Vanilla & Berries Cake......Yum.

I also though I should cover my bases in case People doesn't call me right away.  So I did these two little collages that I'm going to put on my Etsy.  It'll tide me over until I'm making the big bucks.

I'm heading back to baking the rest of my cakes....I'll talk to you later!   Karin

I had to share this with you.......

I feel I would be remiss if I kept these "secrets" from all of you knowing that bikini season is a mere 3 months away from us......

                                               (I'm getting a dog)

Apparently, the very selfless and charitable folks over at People Magazine managed to pry "Tips from the Stars" on how to achieve a "Hot Body" just like the stars themselves.  Not a measly 4 or 5 tips.   Not 20.  Not even 84....But a whooping 100 tips!  Yes..I know...I'm in complete disbelief too! How in the world they managed to pry these top secrets away from their skinny cold hands will remain a mystery until the day I die.

(Note to self:  Buy less clothing and more flowy summer dresses........)

Here I was all ready to to hunker down and exercise my butt off, cut calories and throw out all my Haagen Daaz  when all I really need to do is buy a bikini so "it's not constricting the bad areas."  Why didn't I think of that?! Will there never be an end to the brilliance that flows from Hollywood?  I think not.

(Lining up my shot glasses....and start to rely on some "quiet confidence")

You know, for all these years I just assumed that the stars  worked really hard at maintaining their physique since it was kinda in their job description to do so.  With that I figured there were personal trainers....specialty low cal food....and all sorts of amenities that just aren't options for us common folk.......

 

(Items on tomorrow's shopping list:  Hot dogs, Life cereal and pink lady apples....)

But come to find out it's just a matter of eating the occasional hot dog....

(Note to self:  Move to Bermuda immediately and pack lots of high waisted really tight skirts....)

and having your belt positioned appropriately...... Who knew it was this easy!

After following the 100 tips, I plan to look like this in June)

So, everyone, grab your bikini, towel and bowl of cereal and meet me back here on Friday because I've been working on a bunch of crafty stuff!!!  I'm off to eat a hot dog.........

What a week......

It's been a big week for me.  And, by that, I don't mean back to back episodes of the Real Housewives of New York.  I mean I purchased a new minivan, went to La Maison Rustique, got to meet some blogging pals and spent the day with family and friends celebrating my best friend's birthday.....

First this.......

I am so excited.  Yes......I know.....my life is boring.   But, beyond that fact, I am so ecstatic over this piece of 8 seat wheeled machinery that takes me back and forth to Carlos' school and the grocery store.   Ever since we rented one last June, I was hooked on the minivan.  The space, the smooth ride, the easy to open doors.....Although it took me awhile to convince myself that we should get a new vehicle given that we had just purchased our 4runner 3 years ago, my husband was all for it.  Once I made the decision I was all business....I did the research, put together my 3 layer strategic negotiation plan which included pitting dealership against dealership, told my husband to stay home (he's a salesman's dream.  He will say "let's take it" before we even pull into the parking lot.  Keeping him home was the 2nd layer of the strategic plan.) and I was ready to roll.   Thursday I went into the 1st dealership with my costco plan in hand and super secret strategy in my head ready to do business.  Unfortunately, it all fell apart when I took the second test ride and was seduced by the doors that open automatically and 8th seat.  Instead of saying I'm looking at all my options and heading over to the other dealership entering into phase 3 of my super secret strategic plan, I was asking "where do I sign."  I folded like cheap suit.  But I was a very happy cheap suit that drove off with her shiny new minivan ready to take on anything that life threw at her and carry 7 additional passengers while doing it........

So armed with a new fun multi-passenger ride, I was ready to do a road trip.  And what better way to do it than to head up to Temecula and go to the La Maison Rustique Antique Sale.  I heard about it through Joy over at the Vintage Rabbit.  We "met" through the ZNE website site and discovered we were both from San Diego.  She is super nice and friendly....not to mention talented.  It just so happened that the event was this weekend.  So my mom, aunt and the boys piled in to do a road trip.   

Here is the front of the barn.  You can walk all the way through to the back were you will find this........

And this......

And this.....

And this......

Carlos pondering his vintage choices.......and wondering how he got himself into this "supposedly fun" road trip......

Joy from Vintage Rabbit and  Sherry from Prairie Home...........

from l-r....Joy, Sherry, the gals from Pink Funny Farm and Linda from La Maison Rustique....... Linda, who was so warm and inviting from the moment we stepped on the grounds, has the whole place just decked out with vintage wares and art pieces.  It is simply beautiful.   It was so much fun wandering around the barn looking at all the eye candy while vintage surprises were around every corner. 

Carlos being a good sport holding some of my items so I could keep shopping.  The smile on his face is due to the fact that he just found out we were going to eat at "Islands" for lunch.....just a little incentive to keep him going......

A new found blogging friend.....Denise at Hope Tree Studio......  Check out her blog....She does these super cute burlap tote bags with monagrams.....Love them!

So after lunch at Islands we headed over to Old Town Temecula where someone found a little train store.  OMGosh.....I could totally write an entire post about the guy that runs this shop!  What a character.....

Heaven is a train store for some people........

Going over important details in train book........

Bored beyond belief outside "Serendipity" wondering how he got himself into this whole "road trip" mess.

While little brother is still studying train book, Carlos ponders life and how long it will take him to walk back home......

Meeting new friends along the way.  Sheriff doesn't have a blog yet..... but is working on one as we speak......

Ahhhhh.... FINALLY!!!!! Now THIS is what you call a road trip.......The Candy store......Oh boy mom....you were really fooling us with that vintage stuff.....

Two happy boys with their gummy worms and m&m's......life is back on track..... 

Gift for my best friend's birthday.......Talk to you soon!  Karin

Getting Things Done.......

Finally.  I was thinking the other day that this is the first time since December that I have felt 90%. 

I say that because, really, the last time that I ever I felt 100%, I was 22 years old, could go dancing until 2:00 am and still get up and go to work the next day all with out a cup of coffee or an aching muscle. 

Nowadays....eh...not so much......  One crazy night of staying up to watch the news at 11:00 pm and I'm paying for it in all kinds of ways the next day.  So, anyway, December started my downward slide with this and then I'm sure we all remember this (which took 6 full weeks in which to recover) and then I got sick with this.

So lately I have been feeling super motivated to get everything on my "list of things to do" done.  And... guess what?  I've actually been getting things accomplished.....like...get this.....painting my kitchen cabinets.  For those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile know that this has been on my list for quite some time.  And, believe me when I say that this is no easy task when you have a husband who expects ridiculous things from you while getting the job done....like prepping the area....and using drop cloths....and cleaning up afterwards....Although, he fancies himself efficient and productive, he's really what we artists call a creativity crusher. But, nonetheless, even with him breathing down my neck making sure I open the can of paint with a paint can opener and not a butter knife, I managed to not only paint the kitchen cabinets, but the cabinet and wainscotting in the bathroom and the base moulding and door casing in the hallway.  I was actually feeling a little productive and efficient myself.

   

On a crafty note, I am mailing out all the "Spring into Action"  giveaway gifts finally.  I got sidelined by all the painting but they are all ready to get to their new homes.

Here are the gift tags in progress......

   

I just picked up the new issue of this........

I love Country Living and I always think their covers are fabulous.  But for some reason this month's cover just called out to me.  I absolutely adore it....the colors....the styling....the bucket with the flowers.....just beautiful. So much inspiration just from this cover alone.

I also got a chance to peruse my local little thrift shops by my house.  I never get to do this because it is just too hard with a three year old in tow. But this time my mom came along and I was able to peruse the bookshelves for the books pictured above as well as some really fun kids books.  Remember these......

And then I got this wonderful music book.....

I thought this was so sad...."DISCARDED"......

That's about it for now....I'm working on some crafty projects like the hearts below (which I'm hoping to have done in time for the "Valentine's 2011 Collection"...we'll see though....)  and shopping for a new mini van.  Anyone have a Toyota Sienna?  That's the one we are thinking of....I'm in the middle of huge negotiations for the best deal...numbers are being cruched....slips of paper are being slid back and forth on the table.....and words like "unacceptable", "I'm walking" and"don't even try to offer me msrp buddy when I know your numbers have been off by 3% since January" are flying in the air.......so we'll see how it all works out......Talk to you later!  Karin

Spring is in the air.......

I don't know whether it's because I'm finally feeling 100% or that my kids are feeling 100% or warm sunny days are ahead of us, but I have been itching to get things done.   First let me say how happy I am that it is this season......

My family and I can easily eat strawberries all day. Strawberries in cereal.....Strawberry shakes.....Strawberries for lunch......more strawberry shakes......strawberries for dinner....and strawberry shortcake for dessert washed down with a strawberry shake.......Yummmm

I've been working kind of all over the place lately.  I have been spending a lot time in my yard fixing it up for the warmer weather, as well as, working on the inside of the house getting it organized.  Apparently I'm not the only one, as you can read at Donna, Heather and Jeanne's blogs.  Although, I feel like I could do a "I just cleaned my crafting table. Everything's all right in the Chaos world!" post every week....... 

Quickly followed by a post reading "Everything's a mess in the Chaos World!  And I have no clue how it all happened!"

Because, within a matter of moments it looks like this......

I mean really.  How does one sit down to a nice, neat desk just brimming with creative opportunity and then after completing just a few tags leave it looking like a 3 year old ransacked it looking for a lost Thomas the Train engine.  Frankly, I have no idea.  But, it is becoming clear to me I that I am simply wasting my time with this cleaning and organization nonsense.   Donna had written that Tim Holtz cleans his studio every night as a cleansing process.......which is great work if you can get it. However, when I only have a little bit of time at night in which to create, I certainly don't want to waste it on cleaning.  So, I don't know....It's just a vicious creative circle......

Anyhow, in all the disarray, I did manage to make to new crafty things.  First up is a Birthday Box and a Crown that I made for my best friend's mom.  She turned 80 years old this year and was here in San Diego to celebrate.  I've known my best friend Annette for 37 years....amazing.  We grew up next door to each other and were constantly together.  We drove our moms crazy.....We eventually moved out here to California together.  We even had our kids at the same time (different fathers, though :)  It's so funny to look back on it. And equally funny to see history repeat itself with the next generation.  Carlos is best friend's with Annette's son Christian.  The other day we had this conversation that just cracked me up......

Carlos:  Mommy.  Me and Christian just love to talk.

Me: (hmmmm nodding my head and thinking to myself....those little Macintosh apples certainly don't fall far from the Chatty Cathy Tree - better known as their mothers)  Oh, really.

Carlos: Yeah.  We love to talk at lunch.  Sometimes I forget to eat my sandwich.

Me: (joking with him and also wondering why I bother packing a lunch) Wow. You must get that from Pappa's side of the family.

Carlos: No I don't...I get it from you!  You're ALWAYS talking.

Me:  Whatever.

So anyway, here are the gifts I made for her.....

   

   

And here are the other earrings that I did on my "night of a thousand earrings" kick......

 

Here are some murano glass beads of which I had totally forgotten.  I'm not sure what I am going to create with them but the colors are so gorgeous.

Although when Carlos saw them, he knew immediately what he would create.....

He called it the "ancient civilization city"......... The beads entertained him for the next 20 minutes while he waited for me to  get off the computer. 

This next photo is actually a bracelet I made a few years back.  I adore the color combination so I thought I would take a picture of it.....

Here is a necklace that I made around the same time........

Well that's it for now.  But I will be back soon with "Tales from the Thrift Shop."   Where I found some really cool old books.  And some more little projects..... Talk to you soon!  Karin

Oh my gosh....San Diego Superior Court is reading my blog.......

Otherwise, what else would explain THIS.......

Who else gets a jury service notice a mere 2 months after already serving?!?  As we all know, I was pretty upset about not getting chosen. If you don't know the sad tale, you can read it all here. I have to wonder......is someone down at the courthouse having some regrets about just tossing me aside with no regard to my legal knowledge and acumen.  Hmmmm..... Obviously, there must be a trial with my name written all over it.  It's probably a complicated one.  Most likely a wicked combination of a broken car lease combined with a dogbite, unpaid cellphone bill and thrown out personal belongings.  And, they know the only one able to sift through all the funny business is me.  Well, you know....it's going to be hard to woo me back.  If they think they can just call me up and think I will come running back to their open, judicial arms, they've got another thing coming.  I've moved on with my life. And, it's going to take a lot more than two free trolley tickets and a 2 hour lunch to entice back......well, frankly, a 2 hour lunch....by myself, does sound rather good.....hmmmm....maybe I am pretty easy to woo back......

Ok, on to the crafty matters at hand....

I never got a chance to finish showing my Easter Swap Items.  The first nine items were shownin this post.  Here are the other four.......

This cute little Sping Chick is from the uber talented Beth Quinn of Beth Quinn Design.  If you have never been lucky enough to see her work, jump right over to her web site and check out all her incredible art......simply beautiful.....

I just love this next piece from Debra at Hop Hop Jingle Boo.  She creates wonderful paper mache art figures....check out her blog. Thanks Debra! 

Well, look what's up next...... A pretty package from none other than Heather of Pretty Petals.....

She created these amazing feather wreaths that are topped with vintage flowers.   It is just exquisite!  Thanks so much Heather..... I just love it! 

And last but certainly not least.....A sweet little teacup nest from Cerri at Little Pink Studio.   So adorable & sweet! Thank You Cerri!!! 

On the same note, I'm not sure if anyone remembers but I did earrings for the swap.  It was a change in plans due to my getting sick, but now I'm so glad it happened that way.  It totally inspired me to clean off the jewelry section of my craft table (the section that never gets shown in pictures because it was so piled high with junk), spend a few hours cleaning all my tarnished silver to a bright shiny glow and reorganize everything to see what I actually have.  I was so excited by having a clean, organized work space that I actually created a few earrings and played around with some different ideas.  I had bought these beads below so long ago I forgot that I even had them.  I'm going to create something with them.  What....I'm not sure.  But at least I have space now to do it.

I

Here is one of the new pair I worked on over the weekend.......

I'll post some more pictures tomorrow because I promised this boy, who is hovering over my shoulder, time on the computer.  Talk to you later! 

   

I'm not dead.........

nor did I fall off the face of the earth.  Although, it does appear that way.  I know it all seems a bit suspicious.  I throw a big Spring Giveaway....leave on vacation...and then no one ever hears from me again......Well, you can't get rid of me that easily! 

Here's what happened.....We left for LA on Monday, the day after Easter, with one kinda, so