Creative Chaos

Goodbye Halloween....we"ll always have next year......

to finish all the projects I promised you.   Sigh....

Every year it's always the same thing......October starts with high crafting expectations, promises of never ending projects and lots of candy eating.  With the exception of the "lots of candy eating" it always ends the same way.... with regret, unfinished business and a whole load of Halloween paper that never got touched.   I was at Paper Tales a few weeks ago clutching the Pink Paislee paper I put away for the "often talked about, but never produced" mixed media scrapbook journal that I was going to teach.  

With Michelle standing next to me rolling her eyes, I said my fond farewell to the paper.  With a tear down my cheek, I told it "that we could've had it all" a la Adele and that I will never forget how much I loved its green damask texture and fancy black border.   That maybe next year we could......When I was rudely interrupted by "Oh, for pete's sake it sounds like your going to a funeral.  Just put the damn paper back on the rack." 

To which I countered, "but maybe next year I could..."

"No."

"But there's still two more weeks! I can always...."

"No."

"No. Really. I know I can...."

"No."

Whatever.   I still bought a couple more sheets so I can finish what I started for the boys......

So, did someone say Christmas?

Oh Christmas....do I have plans for you.......

Talk to you soon! Karin

My newest aquisition.......

Do you love it as much as I do?  I was working last week Thursday with Michelle at Paper Tales when I spotted this hanging from the mannequin display.  Michelle was rambling on about something....."So Karin, it's critical that you finish this tonight...blah, blah, blah. The fate of the store rest on you shoulders....blah, blah, blah......Please make sure this happens..blah, blah blah."    I interrupted her mid "blah, blah"  transfixed by these crocheted necklaces. 

"Who made these?!?  Did Diane make these?!?"  I asked completely disinterested in what she was babbling on about.

"Yes. Ok, so anyway...bath, blah, blah....." she continued as if I was paying attention to her.

How could I listen to anything she said when I was completely distracted by the fact that I was wearing this top right at that moment........

So while she was going on and on about restocking Stickles, I was was visualizing myself in this outfit while substitute teaching 3rd graders the next day.  I knew this look would command the respect and adulation I deserved from a bunch of 8 year olds......

And then, this look while casually shopping for groceries.  I was convinced someone would discover my talent for something....anything.....while I was deciding between Chocolate Peanut Butter or Vanilla Swiss Almond Hagaan Daaz ice cream.  Sigh.....

I was destined for fame and fortune with this necklace......

or, at the very least, looking like I didn't just roll out of bed.  I'll take either one.  

So if anyone is interested in these little babys, just let me know.  I have connections.  

Talk to you soon!  Karin

Have you ever seen a craft so simple.......

yet so brilliant?

Well I present to you the "Glow in the Dark Balloon Jack o' Lantern Heads."  Ok....I just made up that name.  What I do wish is that I made up this idea........

This are really the best thing since sliced bread....and peppermint bark.  You can find them at the Martha Stewart website.  But I also came up with a little tutorial for you.    Here it is.......

Yep...that's it.  Balloons and glowsticks.  Oh, and a sharpie too.   My friend Tania and I saw this online and went nuts.   We're planning to do this for the boys' first grade classrooms on Halloween.  I can hardly wait.   I want to just run into the classroom and do it tomorrow.  But I'll try to control myself.  

So, in a rare form of forethought, I testedthe glowstick in the balloon to see how it would work.  Because I'm using the cheapy ones from Michaels, I want to make sure I was going to get the full glow effect come Halloween.  Because, as we all know, a party's not a party 'till it gets shut down by a clueless mom who didn't think to test out the glowsticks.   I will say this:  If you are only making a few, spring for the good ones.  Since I had to buy enough for 2 classes totaling 40 kids, I went cheap.   They work; but I think we may use two per balloon.    We are going to attach them to plastic pixie stick so the kids will have something to hold the balloon with, not to mention eat on the way home.   Yes, we're fun like that.

I'm thinking the first graders may throw a parade in our name.....this project is that good.

Ok.....gotta run....Talk to you soon!  karin

Despite organizing flash mob protests all over San Diego yesterday.....

I still managed to get some crafting done and a little tutorial.  I'm absolutely exhausted from yesterday's protest from my desk chair.   But it was all worth it in the end; because I got results........

 

The promotions and marketing manager emailed me back and said she understood where I was coming from and would take it up with the programming department.....HA!   All my bitching worked! 

I emailed her back to say "Thanks.  I appreciate it.  I would still love to meet the guy behind the blurb so I can kick him in the balls.  But I know I can't have everything."  Sincerely, Karin

I think I may have found my new calling.   I may just change the direction I'm going in and become a full time protester.  I mean, as long as I can do it from my desk.....I'm game!   I just don't want to have to march or do an all night sit in.  I don't do well sleeping in a sleeping bag.  But I could be in charge of the signs.....as long as I was allowed to use glitter.  Anyway, I'll have to give it some thought.  

So in the meantime.........

I made a Halloween tag........
  

 

with all the stuff I love.....glitter, tape and cheese cloth.  Super simple.

Take kraft paper and cut out a tag. Swipe some cream paint over the tag in a random fashion.  Edge it with tape.  I used the Tim Holtz tissue tape here.

I put some glitter on some pearls and bats.  I wrapped some copper wire around the pearls.........

 

 I put a piece of cheese cloth on the tag and "glued" it down with the glimmer glam..... 

 

 Voila.....a tag to impress family and friends......

or, other fellow protesters.   Ok...I'm off to find something else to complain about!  Talk to you soon! Karin  

Cranky McCrankerson, continued......

Ok....here's the deal.  I'm driving home from my mammogram this morning when I hear this little "humorous" blurb on Jack FM in between songs.......

"In honor of breast cancer awareness month, we're always here to lend a helping hand."

Really? No. Really?  Did I just hear that.  This is the second "funny" blurb I've heard from them using sexual humor in reference to breast cancer awareness month. 

Ha ha ha ha.....oh, I get it.  You will offer to feel womens breasts for free.....ha ha ha ha.....oh my gosh...that's so hilarious....getting a cheap feel...breast cancer awareness.....so funny....hysterical really. Man oh man where was this humor when I was going through chemo.......

Well, how about this Jack FM....How about in honor of "YOU'RE A FUCKING MORON" month, I kick you in the balls really hard. Really, really hard.  And, don't ask me to "lend a helping hand" to pick you up off the ground.  Because, I won't. 

Ok.  I feel much better now getting that off of my one breasted chest.  Sexualizing anything to do with breast cancer in the name of laughs makes me even more crazy than the pink flask and the pink plastic feather pens.   And, that's saying a lot.  Because those stupid feather pens drive me right over the edge.  

And, don't get me wrong.  I'm no shrinking violet when it comes to humor. I love dark humor.   But I would love to know if the person who coined that phrase and the genius who ok'd the sexual innuendo blurb would like to lend a helping hand to someone who has just been told by her doctor that she has Stage III breast cancer.....or, maybe when she has to drain all the fluids out of her drainage tubes after her breast has been removed....or, maybe when she is going through chemo and can't take her kids to school because she is so sick.

So, Jack FM......Do you want to lend a helping hand then?  Or, do you want to just allude to touching boobs?  

Idiots.

 

 

What I wore Monday.........

Source: polyvore.com via Karin on Pinterest

 

It was so funny....because when I saw this on Pinterest, I thought "That's the exact outfit that I am wearing to take the boys to school and then go on the fire station field trip with the first graders.....what a crazy coincidence!"   Other than the $2,855 Bottega Veneta perforated suede tank top (which I will seamlessly replace with my $7 Target tank), the $305 ribbed asymmetrical hem cotton cardigan (which is virtually indistinguishable from my gray Pirates of the Caribbean hoodie), the $165 Tommy Hilfiger Rome Jeans (which I will substitute for my $30 plus 20% off pair of Levis) and the $341 Badgley Mischka Cherise Leather Satchel (which I will have to replace with my Liz Claiborne backpack purse for the field trip), this is what I will be sporting come Monday morning! 

Sigh......A girl can dream.......

At least I will look good in my imagination.....sigh.....   

So, truth be told.......

I get a little cranky this time of year.   It wasn't always like this.  October was by far my favorite month.  It even surpassed the Armageddon like month of December where stress and hysteria over "being ready" for the holidays takes on a life of its own.   I loved the transition from summer to fall. Albeit, the mostly fake fall we experience here in southern California - right now I'm writing this post in 90 degree weather.    

Nonetheless....I loved it.  

But now, I get cranky. I get cranky over pink. I get cranky over the cheap pink crap  being hawked for "awareness"........

A Sassy Pink Apron

A Pink Mohawk

 And, my favorite......

Show your support with

A Pink Flask

 

Although, I do admit, a flask and a stiff drink might have come in handy during certain times of my treatment, I really have to wonder how one is showing support while swigging alcohol out of a pink flask.

Sigh.....I feel like October has almost become a parody of pink awareness.   I think of it like Fourth of July.   How a time in history that was filled with blood shed and lost lives is now represented by red, white and blue, a barbeque and sparklers.      

Maybe it's just me.  Maybe it's still too raw.  Maybe I'm wrong.   But then I think......how can a pink flask be right?   I want to spread awareness......I want people to know.......But somehow I can't help but feel that pink has turned everything into a big party like atmosphere.   The pink covers up so much of the horribleness of this disease.   I've come to dislike pink.......

 

Pink Plastic Feather Light Up Pens, anyone?!

 

So anyway, in one of my very cranky moods yesterday, I did something that I've been thinking about for a long time.   I called out Yoplait and their stupid "lick lids to save lives" campaign.  Yep. I did. I wrote on their facebook wall and never looked back.  Ok, I did look back a couple times to see if they ever responded to me....but other than that I had no regrets.  It actually made me feel better getting it off my chest. 

I hate that campaign.  So here's what I wrote......

***As a stage III breast cancer survivor and a Yoplait yogurt eater, I just have to ask why there has to be a whole circus act of licking, washing, saving, envelope wasting, postage spending, gas to the mailbox guzzling and useless time in transit traveling just for you to donate to the cause. Can't you just base it on sales for that month? I understand that a person can do it online. I appreciate that you are donating to research. But is sending in the lid really necessary? I've been annoyed by this campaign for years and just had to ask why there had to be so much licking of lids for a contribution. *****

Why so much licking of lids?!?!? Why!?!? Why for the love of saliva do we have to lick the lids?!?!? Now, I do admit that this year they added the option for doing it online. Which I think...ok.   But the licking of the lids and sending them in drove me up a wall. 

So, someone did write back to me.....

***Karin - congrats on being a survivor! We take all fan feedback to heart. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

The lids campaign is a strong part of our history in supporting Susan G. Komen and it's so much more than a donation in our eyes. It offers a tangible way to rally together, further awareness of early detection and celebrate those affected by the disease.

That said, we DO want to make it easy to get involved so we added the online redemption option this year. Additionally, through the end of the year, Yoplait will donate 10 cents per new Facebook page "like" (up to $10,000).**

I'm still not sure how licking lids celebrates those affected....but whatever.   It's a marketing ploy on Yoplait's part and I totally get that.    And, then I thought....how nice for them to donate $10,000 with each "like" they  get.  Then, I starting thinking....well, wait.  Isn't that bribery...or extortion....or entrapment...or something like that?   Why can't they just donate the damn money without there being something in it for them?   

Sigh......maybe I'm still too raw.......

I'm done complaining.  

Well.........not really.  Because, I will never stop complaining about Michael's bad customer service and pink feather awareness pens.  

Signed,

Cranky Mc Crankerson 

        

 

 

A couple kits available........

Kit Contents:

Large and small paper mache boxes
Paper for top and bottom
Ruffled crepe paper
Ruffled seam binding for top and bottom
Star w/pipe cleaner
2 large flowers and 2 small flowers
5 pearl picks
Banner (three different phrases Trick or Treat, Happy Halloween and Queen of Treats)
Cheesecloth
3” circle for bottom of box
Glitter for tops of boxes, star, pearls and flowers

You will need:

Hot glue gun
Heavy adhesive like Beacon’s 3in1 glue
Tacky glue
(I love Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky glue for glitter)
Glue pen (optional)
Gold ink pad (optional)
Glimmer Glam by Tattered Angels - Chandelier (optional)

Just email me or hop on over to Etsy! 

Thanks!  Karin

Glitter overload......

 

The glitter was flying Saturday when making our crepe trees......

 

In the meantime I'm attempting to finish some more Halloween projects.....

 

 

 

Talk to you soon.....Karin 

finally recovering from this weekend......

 

I was up at Denise's house to teach at Craft for the Cure.  It was such a great time.  Unfortunately, I hardly took any pictures.  I managed to snap these before we got started.........

 

The place settings........

a couple of the finished projects.....

 

I love when people change it up........

 

Some of the gals put the glitter skulls on the to of their cake.  So cute.....

 

Here is couple of the "girls' from Denise's class.  These were so much fun to make......

 

This is not the best shot of the earrings we made with Tara Wilson.   It was so great to meet Tara and learn some great tips and techniques.  Did you know that you can make your own earring wires? Ha!  Now I do.....it's going to change everything in the way I approach jewelry crafting........

 

So that's it.  These are the only pictures I got.  And that's including the two I stole from Cheryl.   I get so caught up in the day that I forgot I even brought my camera with me.   

I made some extra kits if anyone is interested.   Just let me know if you would want one! 

So I have to share this email I got the other day.  I love when I get spammy type emails, i.e. COX communication threatening that I will "loose" my account permanently if I don't send them my password and birthdate, or the usual millions that have my name on it sitting in a bank in Ghana.  Well, I got this one the other day and I just had to share it ith you because I thought it was so hysterical.    

Dear Karin,

 

If you are getting this email it means we have met and exchanged information at a workshop, yours or mine; or that I am your customer or you are mine, or that we have met at a political, art or music event or that you are a friend or friend of a friend, neighbor, or family member. We are updating our contact list in preparation for an exciting announcement. Please check your info to be sure all is correct. Please fill in as much or as little information as feels comfortable. 

 

Thank You,

Mary Smith (I changed the named to protect the friend of a friend who may or may not have been at an art event.)

 

So, I decided to write her back....

Dear Mary,

Yes!  I do remember you!  Or, maybe I don't.   See, I'm almost positive you are a friend of a friend of a cousin who happened to be in line at Jo Ann Fabrics when I was buying more glue. Or, maybe it was Michaels.  Because I do spend an inordinate amount of time there. Possibly too much.  Ok, way too much. Anyway, maybe we met at the dog park when I was walking my dog.  Wait. I don't have a dog.  So that can't be it.   I don't attend political events because that just raises my blood pressure and makes me angry.  That's why I choose to hang out at craft stores.  But, then again Michael's makes me angry too....... Hmmmm..... I really need to figure this out because I want to know what that "exciting" announcement is.   Because in my book "exciting announcement"  has to be large amounts of money or craft supplies heading my way.  Ok.  I'll keep thinking about how we met.  It's going to drive me crazy; but, I'm sure it will be well worth it when you announce your big news.....about me.....winning money....right?  Well, I think I'm going to start calling friends of friends who are vaguely familiar with other people who attend art and/or music events.   I'm sure I will figure it out. 

Talk to you soon,

Karin