Creative Chaos

We Have Some Winners!!!!

Finally!  The day is here to announce the winners of the OWOH giveaway. 

As per usual, I hired on my two temp workers to help me pick the numbers and count the email messages.  Of course, Temp #1 caused problems right off the bat when I told him to pick a number between 1-600......he pick 333.  So I told him that he had to count down the list 333.   He immediately changed his number to 5.  I said stick to one number.  He said 100 and then started playing with his Legos while whining about being too tired from school.   Temp #2 never came out of his room.  He was too busy playing with Thomas the Train.  I finally coaxed a bunch of numbers from Temp #1 and got on with the job of counting myself.

So without further ado.....

Here is the winner of the Mosaic Journal.......

Pamela Noble!

Two Gift Tags.....

Marilyn Butler and Connie!

Pair of Earrings....

Donna Collins!

Embellished Cup & Gift Tag.........

Tina S.!

Cupcake Glitter Heart Box......

 

Kathie! 

And just for fun, winners of assorted gift tags and goodies!

Karen!

Ellen Bellomo!

Marsha!

Sandra!

Anne!

I will be sending emails to all the winners (who have probably forgotten that they entered this) and let them know the good news.....

Thanks again for all your patience with me and this drawing! 

Karin

New Plan.....So Far So Good.......

I'm nowhere near as fatigued as last week.  I've kept the promise I made to to myself to lay low. And guess what?  It worked!  Today and yesterday, I've spent time with the boys, did a little crafting and even went out in the garden to water and pull some weeds.  Just perfect.  

Hey, remember this.....

and these.....

and these.....

and these.....

All from the One World One Heart Extravaganza hosted by Lisa that ended approximately 2 months ago?   Well guess what?   I'm picking the names and posting the winners on Monday!   I know, I know....I've said that numerous times before and I am fully aware that not a one of you believe it this time either.   However, I can sometimes be full of surprises you know! 

And to further thank everyone for all the support, well wishes and friendship that I have received over the past months, I will be pulling extra names in order to send some good cheer back your way.

Thanks soooo much for all your patience with my false promises of OWOH drawing dates!  I'll be back on Monday!   Karin

 

Lot's of things to discuss here people.....so let's get moving.....

 

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary can speak.  Hans Hofman

First and foremost, A want to give a huge THANK YOU to all of you with your comments and emails who helped me with all my problems and daily annoyances!!  UNzip a file!  Who would have guessed? Certainly not me!  Stronger needles! Yep, that's exactly where I went wrong.  I was using small needles.  Cute little pictures on the sidebar.....I'm calling Heather!!  You all are so awesome and filled with knowledge that evidently I don't possess!   Thanks so much again!  I can't wait to sew on paper.....unzip files.... and call Heather....

 

Loving that seam binding?!?! Where do you think I got it?  Of course, my home away from home Paper Tales.  They have tons and of course I bought tons. But don't worry I left some for you.  There are more colors to come. Check it out on their blog!  They ship across the country.......So anyway, I went in a week ago yesterday after my blood work.  It's the same MO every time I go in there:  A little energy (+) creative overload (x) Michelle, Julie and I talking nonstop (the square root of)  the discovery of new seam binding  (divided by my first adventure out in 6 days) =  Crazy, nut job, crafting fool who makes all kinds of empty promises for new crafting ideas to bring in the next week. 

It goes exactly like this...... I blab on and on to Michelle and Julie how I'm going to make all these craft kits, bring in these new banners I've been wanting to work on, I'm going to organize the backroom of the store for her and, hey, I'll even clean off my desk and make some jewelry too!   I'm like the flighty interior designer with plans in hand who knocks out walls and shelves in a day and then says "I'll call you next week!"...... Except next week only brings the question "has anyone heard from Karin?"   Lucky for me, Michelle knows me way too well and doesn't even bat an eye at all my proclamations of what I'm going to do, planning on doing, thinking about doing, might be doing....... She just smiles at me and sends me on my way with my supplies and new seam binding knowing full well she won't see me for another week while Julie waves from behind the desk.  Sniff, sniff...I love my Paper Tale friends (you too Diane!!!I I keep missing you on my good days!!)

Which leads me to my first topic of conversation......my always exciting stories on exhaustion. Yes, I know, you continually ask yourself how a person can weave endless amounts of intrigue, suspense and espionage from a story that consists little more than a snoring head, pillow and a blanket. But, as you can see my journalism degree is really paying off exponentially these days.

 

So anyway, this week was brutal.  After two sleeping pills around 10 pm Wednesday night, I could not get to sleep. No amount of reading, watching bad tv, fooling around on the computer playing mahjong titans and counting vintage wallpapered sheep could lull me to dreamland.  So frustrating.

 

By 4:30 am, I decided that I was staying up for good.  If I were to sleep during the day I would inevitably screw the rest of my sleep schedule for the week and be sleeping throughout the day and then up again at night. At that point, I went into a frenzied mode of cleaning my studio space, returning emails, gathering tax info, and working on some tag kits.  I'm such a genius. This plan is foolproof.

Well, as it turned out, not only did I sleep all day; but I slept all night as well. I effectively screwed everything up. Thursday night, I crawled into bed by 7:00 pm and was asleep by 7:01.  After 15 hours of sleep, I woke up to eat something and then went back down at 3:00 pm and slept all the way through until 7:00 pm, effectively missing out on the dinner reservations we had that night.  However, Cosme and the boys ended up attending the opening of the restaurant called the Brigantine that he and his company have been working on non stop for the past few weeks. Oh, and of course, the chef recognized him and served up some scrumptious appetizers and a dessert for the boys.....while I slept on the couch.  He did bring me back a crab cake for me though. It made me happy.  

And that is how it continued both Saturday and Sunday.  My genius plan and I would get up late, stagger around house, go back to sleep.  Luckily, my friend Annette took the boys all day Saturday and Cosme took them out all day Sunday so I could sleep in peace.  Today I was thinking it over and after doing some historical research of the past two weeks, I've decided that I need to stop running straight out of the gate on Thursday.  Two weeks ago it was Carlos' field trip and then last week the all nighter.  As Dr. Phil would say, back when he normal...or semi normal...."how's that working for ya." 

 

Well, obviously it's not.  So in preparation of this week, today after treatment, I only took a small nap, relaxed after treatment and didn't drink any coffee in the late afternoon (which could have possibly, sort of, maybe caused the wide eyed insomnia on last week). I will be logging off here in a few to go to bed.  I will sleep in tomorrow.  And, most importantly I will be staying home resting, crafting, playing with the boys in order to not tax my body for the week. I will do the same on Friday. Once again, I'm such a genius. This plan is foolproof. 

So on to another topic.....The above quote is something I've been wanting to write about for a while. I saw it on Kari's blog (I think...please correct me if I'm wrong.).  It so relevant to my life right now and it has been my impetus for clearing out all the unnecessary in my life in order for all the important things to come to the forefront.     Remember how this......

Turned to this.....

 

And, then unfortunately this again during my tag frenzy..... 

But then a little bit better after my clean up on Thursday......

 

I don't have pictures of it but I completely cleaned up my jewelry space that was covered with a mountain of paper, craft supplies and other non jewelry paraphernalia that kept me away from doing even a simple pair of earrings  I cleared it out last night and decided that beads I no longer use or have outgrown, I am going to give away to friends, donate or use in kits.  That way all I have left is what I love to create new designs.  Hence, the pictures above of some pieces I made after the boys went to bed last night.  Jewelry is good for me right now because it's the gift of immediate gratification coupled with accomplishment.  That makes me feel good and a bit productive.

I'll write more about this later.  I have to turn off the lights and go to bed......Talk to you soon!  Karin

Chemo brain - part deux......the saga continues........

But before I get into all of that, I need your help with a few things technical.  I thought I would put it out there to the collective brain power, otherwise known as my awesomely smart and talent readers, to come up with some solutions to my never ending list of problems and annoyances.  Ok, here goes......

1. How in the world to you sew through paper?  With the exception of one needle, I have broken all my needles trying to do the cute little stitching that appears on thousands of craft project daily. Someone knows the secret and they refuse to share it with me......

2. To all you typepad people, how do I get those cute little pictures on the side bar.  Spent many an hour trying to figure out that mystery......

3. Does anyone know how to use a downloaded zip file.  I have some cute things I downloaded to use with my Photoshop program, that I still can't figure out how to work, and I have no idea how to access zip file.....

OK, discuss amongst yourselves and come back to me with answers that are a) easy to understand and, b) won't confuse me more than I already am.  Thanks!

So here's the deal. Lately I've discovered, I am an annoyance to the community and a threat to my family's welfare with my wandering chemo infused brain.  Seriously, I am.  Don't believe me? Well let me just give you a few examples that will make you so happy that I'm not living in your neck of the woods:

 

• At my bank, I stood in front of the teller announcing to him "I would like to deposit this cash" and then proceed to look at the "invest in your future with a 2.3 apr IRA" poster, thereby lulling myself into a partial coma while he hesitantly asked "do you have a account number?"  Which of course, snaps me back into reality asking myself "where am I?"

• I can't remember the names of my children. I am constantly calling Carlos,
  Cosme.  And I refer to Andres as "please get over here" and  "stop
  it."

• I start sentences that I am unable to coherently finish. (although that was true pre-chemo so I may have to get back to you on that one...)

• When going for my blood tests the other day, my mom and I discussed for a good five minutes at the front desk, how I could have possibly lost my insurance card and debit card at the same exact time. The conversation started with many unanswered questions and complete bewilderment as to how I lost both of them when I haven't been out of the house for six days....and then ended with, "Oh look! they're right here behind my Arco gift card!"  And, as an added bonus, they were right next to the keys that I couldn't find in the morning, resulting in a futile fifteen minute search. The receptionist was not as excited as I was with my recent findings.

• I think of super witty and fun blog posts I want to write and then two minutes later forget that I even have a blog.

• I traumatized my son for life tonight by letting him watch "Stand by Me."  I haven't seen it in at least 15 years.  I went on ad nauseum on how "he's gonna love it"....."how much I loved it"....it's such a great movie"...."I'm  positive the kids are your age. Yeah....I'm pretty sure they are." ."great boy bonding."...."blah, blahblahblah, BLAH."  Unfortunately, what I didn't remember was a) the kids are no where near his age they were twelve  b)  the movie is rated R.  "Mom of the Year" looked after the movie was over. And c)  Holy Mother of swear words!!!  It was like a biker bar at closing time....yet somehow even worse.  Of course I let him watch with Papa, who then walked over to me half way through it, and asked "have you seen this movie?"  To which I replied  "of course I I have! Do you think I'm an idiot?"

I'm an idiot.  Carlos told me that he wanted to return the movie and never ever see it again.  He said, and I quote, "those words really disturbed me."   I'm mortified.  Not wanting to lose my Mother of the Year status, I of course, blame it completely on his father who let him watch half the movie before telling me.  And, of course, Cosme refuses to take any blame and told Carlos to "make sure everyone knows mommy bought you that movie!"

I'm an idiot.

So realizing, that I am a menace to society and the downfall of my children, I've decided that my current job is to not go wandering aimlessly throughout the city anymore and just stay put in my house creating gift tags and collages.  Also, the boys are not allowed to watch anymore movies until they are 18 years old.  There.  Problems solved.  Well at least until I make it through the day with out a phone call from the school asking me to pick up Carlos for saying "dick head." 

I'm an idiot...... 

I'm blaming it all on daylight savings time........

 

Everything.  My fatigue....the mess in my studio.....the fact that dinner was completely overlooked tonight.....the kitchen still not painted.  I just keep attributing it all to that spring ahead business.  I like the convienence of a one stop,  go-to excuse. Blaming everything on daylight savings time really keeps things organized and easy.  I can't believe it's only been a week since I was on the phone with Michelle  discussing how she completely forgot about it, how I thought we were turning the clock back in order to "gain" an hour, and how Carlos thought we were actually going to be doing time travel with the finagling of the clock (he still isn't convinced by me nor his father that he didn't actually travel through time that Saturday night).

So, as it turns out, my fatigue this week was caused by low white blood counts.  And the rest of my list?  Well, that's just me being lazy.  With the exception of the field trip on Thursday (after which I slept for four hours), I have slept until 12:00pm everyday and then meandered around the house. I had to cancel my get together with Amy and Dana. And I still have not visited Paper Tales in six months (yes. I know. It hasn't been six months; but it feels like it.)  Since Wednesday's treatment, I've basically spent my time playing with the boys and doing some creating.   

     

These little babies are some tags that I've been working on for quite some time.  Like the Easter eggs, I've taken the wait and see and then wait some more approach.  It's been really enjoyable sitting down to create without any expectations of finishing.

 

This batch is made with copies of some wonderful vintage wrapping paper that I have.  After gluing it down, I just embellished away.  I love this bird design so much I think I'm going to make a few more things with it.  

   

I started some other tags too.  For one set, I'm using one of my favorite Karen Russell papers.  And the other set is a black and cream design.  I'm thinking that maybe I will put them up on Etsy as a kit.   What do you think?   They take so long to make that the price tends to be rather high for a gift tag.  But I thought that I could at least manage to put some kits together.......hopefully.....

Talk to you soon! Karin

Sleep....frenzied activity.....more sleep.....

 

And it's all working out fine.  I finally finished a bunch of my Easter Eggs.  It's been a project steeped in patience, but I really think it's worked in my favor.  Instead of trying to get everything done all at once, I have had many a day (and night) to think about different design options and embellishment choices.  You know, I'm really beginning to believe the whole "patience is a virtue" mumbo jumbo......

   

 

 

 

So Wednesday I had my first Taxol round. From now on I will be going weekly for the next 12 weeks.  The part that sucks is that I have to go the day before for blood tests. So my mom and I decided since we have to do that we would then go do something fun afterwards...like going to breakfast and shopping.  I think it's a fair trade off.....

Cosme couldn't get the day off this Wednesday because they are working on a huge project at work.  No problem, I say, because I will have my best friend Annette go with me.  And, just to give you a little background, we have known each other since kindergarten and are more like sisters.  She love to talk as much as I do.....

 

Which of course then prompts the list of rules from Cosme. Again, just to give you a little background, he tends to get very serious when we go into the hospital.  We usually have the same routine every time.  He carries all my bags and stuff I bring..... He makes sure I have everything I need to be comfortable and relaxed.....  We get settled in while he looks around the room making sure everything is proceeding as it should.... Just making sure no one has left a scalpel in anyone's abdomen..... He then leave to get me breakfast from Einstein Bagels across the street.....He then comes back making sure that everything is still proceeding as it should.  Glares at both Nurse Nancy and I as we laugh about something on my blog or reality shows....

At this point, I then send him off to Costco or some other errand to make him feel useful.....I relax and watch tv or read.... I love him more than life itself, but he's not a whole lotta fun in the chemo bay...

Of course, when he found out Annette was driving and staying with me, it prompted a list of do's and don'ts:

Do not disturb the other patients with both your excessive talking.  (We are not capable of this request)

Do not laugh really loud. (impossible)

Have them seat you as far away from any other patients.  Preferably in a broom closet.  (they don't put patients in broom closets, so I was unable to comply)

And for the love of brain cells, DO NOT talk about the Real Housewives of New York.  (conversation started the minute we entered her car)

Unfortunately I was not able to do as much as one of his requests...oh well.  Annette and I had fun though. 

I cleaned my crafting table.......Now you see it......

 

  

Now you don't....... 

 

I got the little turntable organizer at Michael's with my 40% off coupon. I'm just doing my part to keep the economy chugging along.  I will continue to buy art supplies until this economy is on track.....

Yesterday, I went on a field trip to a Bread & Cie with Carlos' class.  I let him take pictures so I have approximately 60 picture similar to the ones below.......

 

Most of him and his friends and the tops of their heads......

 

It was really fun and so good to be out and about with his class again.

 

I have a couple more eggs to finish.....So I'm off for more frenzied activity.  I'll be back after I wake up later!  Talk to you soon!  Karin

The bald rebel of the neighborhood........

 

Ooooh yeah......I rule my neighborhood with this skull cap.  I'm like my own street gang of one. Although, I'm not sure how seriously people take me flashing my gang signs while wearing a skull with a big pink bow......

And, to prove I didn't just run out in the front yard at the crack of dawn to snap a photo and then run back into the cover of the house, Cosme and I went out to dinner last night with none other than my bald head accompanying us.  I asked him if I should do it......just go bald.  And he said "Absolutely. Why wouldn't you?"  I just love that guy.....

So I did it; and it was great.  I mean really, what was going to happen to me?  The hostess wasn't going to seat us?  The people at the next table were going to start throwing tortilla chips at me?  And, even if someone was rude enough to stare or make a comment, well, really, it's their problem.  What do I care?  It's nice to be 40 and not 15 years old anymore.......

 

Also, just to show that I have not forgotten about the OWOH giveaway, here are the pictures to remind you why you entered in the first place. 

And for all the regular readers, here's why you entered.   I've got all your names set to the side ready to be picked.............eventually.......... 

So that's it for now. I'll talk to you soon!  Karin

My mind and body are in a huge fight...........

My mind says.... "Up and adam!  Ok, after that cup of coffee, we are going to finally going to do the OWOH giveaway drawing...then get started on taxes...then finish all crafting projects....clean the studio....get started working in the backyard on garden.....paint the kitchen...and, finally learn spanish."  My body then shouts back "zzzzzzzzzzz."   Actually, my body doesn't reach the level of a whisper..... it's still sleeping.  The battle is never ending.  My body always wins.  My mind is holding all sorts of resentments, grudges and continually threatens to walk out. Then it realizes that it needs the body to do so.  My body, on the other hand doesn't hear any of the bickering as it's usually dozing on the couch to Judge Judy.

It seems when I turned that corner, I ran into a ditch.  My good friend Jennifer likes to remind me "it's not your will, it's your body talking to you."  I keep that in mind as I'm sitting on the couch reading a magazine or watching tv during which my mind tells me there are a million things to do.  It's hard to slow down to a screeching halt when you are used to going a million miles an hour. 

Although, I have to say my boys are going to remember this time as a time "where mommy says "yes....you may" to every request and wish."  The living is good for the 8 and under set at the Chaos household.  Eating dinner in front of the tv.....playing on the computer for longer than ever....extra treats from grandma and poppa.  Yep.  Their living like fat cats while momma tries to lift her head up off the pillow.  They have no idea that gravy train is about to end in due time......Poor kids......

During some peak energy times, I've been working on some more Easter eggs.   These are fun to do because it just all seems to flow.....the colors, the paper....and it's a small project that delivers immediate gratification.  I like that in a project.

 

 

I love how a messy desk can even look pretty in these photoshop frames.  Yes. I'm still stuck on frames.  Plan on seeing these for awhile. 

Here's a picture of my daily powershake smoothie....soooo good!

 

I need these in order to keep up with the likes of this guy.........

 

Notice how his eyes have disappeared from his face.    When I slept through the month of February, apparently time marched on without me, including the growth of hair.   I know you're asking why someone else didn't take him.  Well, this is one area in which I'm indispensable.  Taking him to get a haircut is a nightmare reserved for momma, and momma only. I could not offer enough money for anyone else to take him.   I decided this time we would go for the element of surprise, so I didn't have to listen to whining and crying for two days beforehand.  It didn't work.  As soon as he saw the shop, he turned on his tail and started running so fast that by the time I registered it, he was past World Market and heading straight for Walmart.  It was pretty funny.  I've never  seen those arms and legs pumping so fast.  I would have taken a picture if I didn't think he would already be halfway home by the time I got the camera out.  I brought him in kicking and screaming as if I were a bounty hunter dropping off a scofflaw at the  local precinct.  Crying......tears......whimpering.......hallow promises of of toys being picked up off the floor.....

And then this.... 

I always say never again.  But then his hair grows. 

So do you like the sprinkling of pretty pictures in my post?  Heather sent me another wonderful box of goodies to brighten my day.  The above picture is from Andrea over at 100 Wishes, as is the top photo of the cutest little blue bird.  Heather did the adorable pink egg collage with the phrase "Hope."  Quite fitting I would say.  And she also smuggled in three boxes of the "Count."  As happy as they were to see all the "pink stuff," they were very happy to see the Count again and promptly had a bowl of the sweet chocolate goodness for which he is known worldwide.  I had one too.  Peer pressure drew me in......

 

I still have more pictures to share of some more of the wonderful things my blog friends have sent me.....and I have a picture of me embracing my baldness. They're not the awesome ones from Joleen...those had to wait until I had more energy for the trip up to the OC.  These are just a few I had taken in front of my house.  I'm ok with it...more than ok, really.  I'm perfectly fine with it.  Others, maybe not so much.  Although Carlos has finally gotten used to my head sas hair, it hasn't gone as far as public appearances.  I'll save that for outings with my mom or Cosme. 

So stay tuned for the next post.........I'm coming at you live and bald! 

Well, well, well......look who got Photoshop.......

At this moment I can do nothing more than put a frame on a picture and a couple cute little do dads.  That's where all my knowledge ends.  I got the software just prior to getting sick.  So it's been languishing on my desk for a month.  I finally had the energy to open it up and explore the great unknown.  I can tell there are endless possibilities......however, I have been unable to get beyond the cute frames, red eye removal and clip art. 

Here's another picture of my fabulous friends Amy and Dana showing off the delicious sushi we had on Saturday night.......btw...if I could crawl through that picture and eat that right now I would.......

 

We had so much fun......Sushi...talking....more sushi....laughing hysterical....and more sushi. So after 2 hours there we decided to move on.   We were in hip and trendy North Park......who knew I was a mere 4 blocks away from all the fun night life.  We decided we needed some dessert and headed on over to Heaven Sent Desserts....Ackkk...no luck there.... line out the door and all seats taken. Fine.  We headed over to the coffee house down the block....once again too late to catch a seat.   Alrighty then we'll go corporate and walk across the street to Starbucks.  Phew.  We ordered our drinks and dessert and plopped ourselves down for another round of talking.  I mean really, we had barely scratched the suface at dinner....we had alot more to discuss. And, we hadn't even touched on the Real Housewives of OC or NY....it was going to be a late night.  All of a sudden after about 15 minutes, the place started to empty. Floors were being mopped around us, light were being turned off, and tired employees emplored us with their droopy eyelids to take it somewhere else.......we shut Starbucks down at 10:00 pm. Unbelievable.   You know, in my prime my friends and I were shutting the dance clubs down at 2:00 am. And now I'm shutting a coffee shop down at 10:00.   I'm so old.  Even though we were ousted from hip and happening North Park, it was still a great night to remember.  Even though I've only known Amy and Dana a relatively short time, it's a friendship that feels like I've known them forever.  It's easy....it's fun....it's real.   And they even went out with me when I wasn't sure what to wear since it's been so long for me hitting the town........

 

They made me take off the bow tie.  Other than that I think I really was able to make the drum major/blooming roses look work for me.  Of course, when we talked about getting together again they were very vague on when they would be free......personally I think they may have been a bit envious of all the attention and stares I received that night......

I'll be back soon!  Karin