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

Comments

[Barbara]

He he he...you sound so much like me. I have the same problem with clutter on my desk (and everywhere in my office), but I know where everything is. If I put it away, I will spend forever trying to remember what I did with it. I too have limited time in the evenings, and creating something sounds like so much more fun than cleaning and straightening up!! Love the great crown, beautiful box, and gorgeous jewelry. Love your friend story. I also have a friend that I have know for over 40 years because we grew up next to each other. Now she is in Miami and I am in Ft. Lauderdale, so it is a challenge to get together, but when we do it is like we have not spent any time apart.

[Alisa]

yummo! That's the way it is here. In fact, when my son was about 5ish I had a small garden in the backyard. Every time the strawberries would ripen and I would head out to pick them I would find them ALL gone! Then I would find him... with little red staind lips and a sheepish grin.

[Alissa Millsap]

boy, your desk looks a lot like mine. i think there is some sort of craft fairy that puts things on the desk when you're not looking :).... love what you created!
alissa

[Lori]

LOVE strawberries:) esp when they are piled on some short cake and covered with a mountain of whip cream...mmm mmm mmm...all of your goodies are gorgeous, you have been very busy...i am doing a big clean up garage sale thingie too pretty soon...there is a lot of crap over here that really needs to GO!!!

[beth]

LOL !!! man i think the same thing everytime i play in my studio ! one minute clean next minute tornado - i hear ya sister !
love all your pretties (looks like something my son would do with my jewels -LOL )
xo,
beth

[Lolly]

Great post!! Personaly, although I do like ot be somewhat organized, I really am allergic to cleaning...! My new favorite quote from your blog..."it is becoming clear to me I that I am simply wasting my time with this cleaning and organization nonsense." Too cute!! and your creations are fabulous!
~Lolly

[Cindy]

LOL...different fathes...you crack me up! Love EVERYTHING you've made, the crown, the sweet box....all just gorgeous! And the jewelry is wonderful too...such pretty colors. You're the best!

c

[sonia audelo]

I LOVE YOUR CROWN AND BIRTHDAY BOX. JUST LOVELY. I USE TO AGONIZE ABOUT ORGANIZING AFTER A FEW HOURS OF CRAFITNG. I JUST LEAVE IT ALONE AND GET TO IT WHEN I CAN. I JUST TELL MYSELF " A MESSY DESK MEANS A CREATIVE MIND IS AT WORK". HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

[Natalea]

what a wonderful birthday crown and box! I'd love to see an 80 year old wearing that sparkly crown!
xo natalea

[Joy*The Vintage Rabbit]

You are one Creative Chica!! Are you coming to the Barn Sale in Temecula next weekend?

Smiles, Joy~

[Natasha Burns]

Hilarious! Love the conversation with Carlos. Wow you're friends with your friend for that huge part of your life, how great! Love the beautiful creations for her mother and I love your pretty earrings. The ancient civilisation city is great, so funny!

[Jillian]

Hi Karin. Love it when I find a new posting on your blog. Your jewelry is beautiful! I tried the TH method of cleaning but never quite get around to it. Have a great weekend.

[Denise Fontaine]

For feedback on my flick Thank you so much! Denise

[Mary Issabella]

I love the jewerly you have made. It is all sooo beautiful. Have a beautiful weekend....mary

[Beth Leintz]

My rule on cleaning my craft table is if the working area is smaller than 8" x 8", I need to take everything off and put on the floor. Then every few weeks, I pick up the stuff from the floor and put in a box. The box goes on a shelf....where it's never to be heard from again...

Beautiful jewelry!

[Amy - Razz Pizazz Boutique]

HE HE I can completely relate to the desk "clutter". I too only create at night when my little ones are in bed, so I create and create until I can't create anymore and have to crash in bed! LOL :) So who wants to waste time cleaning?!?! I am trying to get better at it though :) The crown, box and jewelry are phenomenal! You certainly have several talents!!
blessings,
Amy

[Lori]

Hi Karin,
thanks for the sweet words about my illustrations on my blog. I have bookmarked you and will add you to my favorites on my blog! I've enjoyed browsing your blog, too. such yummy vintage loveliness!

[Tamy]

Karen
Strawberries - YUM!!!!!
Your friends mom will look so FABULOUS and "tres chic" in that crown....love it - lucky lady!!
Enjoy your week...
Talking about getting organized - Hubby and I just finished our closet....oy!

[Tamy]

Karin not Karen - My bad!!

[fated follies studio]

your earrings are beautiful! wow! i wish i could wear earrings but i have given that up for only special occasions. all it takes is 1 hour and i pay for a whole week. any kind of jewelry does it to me. i think i have a metal allergy. my white gold wedding ring is the only piece of jewelry i wear and even it has messed up the fingers it touches. i have to put bandaids over the brands in my pants or else i pay for weeks for those one. oh my goodness, what a tangent! your whole post is amazing. thanks for sharing all the pretty photos. i hope you are doing well!

jenny

[Dawn]

I am so with you on that strawberr thing! I have a pyramid growing in my backyard and the kid and I barely get them picked before they are all eaten. But we ALWAYS save enough to make our oh-so-favorite strawberry freezer jam...yummmmy! And that conversation with your son, priceless (smart-alec little know it alls *grin*).

[cathy]

Love the crown, the box and the earrings!!
Blessings~

[Bejeweled]

Hi Karin!

I love the shots of your craft space! I see you have the "huge table, but end up working in a 6 inch space syndrome" too :)

Your earrings designs are always so elegant and swank! It's always fun to rediscover old supplies, isn't it? I have a lot of "so special" supplies I find when I clean - you know - "so special" you can't ever actually bring your self to use them? lol!

And those strawberries! Yum, yum!!

[Angela]

Thank you for that pretty picture of the Strawberries. Now I am inspired to go strawberry picking & I MUST try & create a beautiful Crown like the one you just posted. Absolutely gorgeous.

[Mya]

Just happened by. The things you made are beautiful and I can definately relate to your messy story. I have to go I am hungry for strawberries now.
Take care,
Mya

[Cindy Roberts]

I love your clutter! It comes with the territory. What matters is that out of your "mess" emerges beautiful creations!

[Cindy Roberts]

I love your clutter! It comes with the territory. What matters is that out of your "mess" emerges beautiful creations!

[cheryl finley]

Oh Karin...I just LOVE your blog and all the creativity, beauty...and LIFE that you share here...the strawberries, the earrings (my fav to wear & make), Carlos, and all the gifts, etc. Thank you for sharing your creative chaos with us! And..I'm glad you stopped by my blog today...Babara Sher's book is awesome! It's the ultimate validation of those who cannot NOT do many different things, and she's included plans of how to do keep up with it. By the way, glad your back to 100%; I'm seeking to get there myself.
~ Cheryl