Creative Chaos

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, sorta, not feeling 100% kid named Carlos who insisted that he felt "just perfectly fine."   Anyway, after discussing the issue with Gail and determining our need to chitchat overrode ambiguous symptoms, we took off on our 2 hour trip (as opposed to a three hour tour) in a car filled with so much excitement from a 7 year old, I'm surprised the whole car didn't self combust while driving past Laguna Hills.  However, we arrived safe and sound and immediately the laughter of happy children filled the room until Gail and I told the happy children to take their laughter somewhere else so we could get right down to talking.   They merrily obliged and headed down the hallway to the bedroom where more laughing, playing and arguing occurred.   We ignored them the best we could while I tried to convince Gail to start watching Real Housewives of New York City and she tried to convince me to read Ekhart Tolles' A New Earth.  We both obliged each other's request and went on to talk more.  Children would periodically come into the living room demanding food and water.  We would take turns throwing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at them to keep them happy.   

As you can see from the picture above, the party never stopped!  And, lest anyone think we completely forgot about them.....they were allowed to go outside while we watched over, told numerous times they couldn't go in the pool, were taken to a fun playground, participated in a "couple of days after Easter" egg hunt and got to partake in our version of Top Chef: The Ice Cream Challenge. 

Let me tell you that one was fun.   I got to play the part of Padma (because, of course, she and I are so similar in looks.......HA!) and judge everyone's ice cream creations.  It took quite a bit of sampling and going back for fourths and fifths, but I was finally able to come up with the winner.

   

So everything was fine and dandy and good times were had by all until we were getting ready to leave on Friday afternoon when Carlos informed me his ear hurt.  The same ear in which he had the infection a little more than a month ago.  Uh Oh. Ambiguous symptoms were becoming more clear. The cries of pain continued on the road to San Diego.  I suspected the "cries of pain" may also be related to the cries of "leaving of Sean my bestest friend in the whole world. It's no fair."  So I suggested we stop at the In & Out for a vanilla shake. Because, as I told him, I had it on good authority that it helps an earache.  Well, it was the miracle cure as I hoped and I continued down the road with a tired little boy, a sleeping 3 year old, and a mom who knew she was destined for the after hours urgent care at Kaiser........

So there you go. The rest of last week was spent close to home as the antibiotic he was taking didn't sit well with his stomach and I wanted him to get as much rest as possible.  I spent my time tending to the infirm (who wished he was still in LA), the non-infirm (who had plenty of energy to spare, but gave me none), and decided this was a good time to clear out the clutter of the home in a bit of spring cleaning frenzy.   I cleaned up my studio.....but it's already a mess again.  Cleaned my closet.....it's still in pretty good shape.  And started on the kids' playroom.....it's already a mess again.   I finally emailed all the winners of my giveaway who I assumed had written me off as a deadbeat gift giver..... and finally got this blog post written.  All is somewhat back to normal in the Chaos world. Talk to you soon!