Creative Chaos

I'm back........ and so is my camera!

Woo hoo!   Although, I'm still distraught over my last post.  Yes. I know.  It's healthier to let go of grudges than to hold on to them indefinitely.  But it was such a fun post involving Willie Wonka, German tourists and my friend Gail's need to pack for Universal Studios as if we were going to para-military training.  Sigh......

Anyhow, while I was up in LA, I recovered my MIA camera.  I really don't have any pictures from the Les Siren's event past Thursday night as Gail took it home with her that night.  But here are a few I have......

Deb, Jane, Michelle and me imbibing in some fun drinks just before vendor night.

 

Picture of fun drink...... Jane was laughing at me and Michelle because we were taking pictures of our drinks......

Jenny's paper clay creations.......I adore her work!

Alrighty!  That's it from my camera.  I hardly took any pictures that night. 

So moving from art to gardening.  Here's a peek at my garden.   Just to refresh your memory.....

May:  

Disgruntled farmers tend to the soil.......

One farmer thinks it's all a big party while other farmer counts the minutes to work release......

Second farmer decides to take job seriously by watering the cement......

Vegetables of labor start appearing......

June:

We've got a garden growing! 

One farmer surveys the growth.....

While second farmer was caught pilfering cucumbers.......

July:   Corn stalks taller than the garage! 

 

Little baby carrots trying their best to grow past infancy stage......

 

Cutest little watermelon in the patch......

 

First corn of the season......

 

Proud farmer stands with his bounty ......

And there's more where that came from....... 

Second farmer, once again, caught eating unauthorized produce...... he was fired on the spot.
  

After a scramble to hire someone new, he was immediately replaced by garden gnome who said he "was waiting for this opportunity his whole little gnome life."   He promised to keep an eye on the garden and for any errant farmer's trying to eat grape tomatoes straight off the vine.

There's a possibility of security cameras but we're weighing the cost factor..........Talk to you soon!  Karin

What's left of a post........

after a computer glitch and the whole thing disappeared leaving only these two pictures.  Even after a nap, I'm still heartbroken about the whole thing.  It was a pretty darn good post.  

 
 Even Andres is sad.  

bleech.....I'm in LA and borrowedGail's laptop.  Stupid laptop. 

I love making journals and notebooks......

 

So much fun.  And, it's an easy project without a huge commitment.  Covering them in some beautiful vintage wallpaper.........

And then going crazy putting all the embellishments on.......  

 

When I was getting ready for vendor night, I had to come up with a way to make efficient use of my time when creating.    Sitting over a blank journal cover for 3 hours pondering the endless design possibilities is not good, nor, efficient use of my limited time and resources.

So what I decided to do was just start covering the front and back of the journals with the paper and then worry about the details later.

Genius!

It worked out so much better than I expected.  By the time I finished covering the notebooks, I was ready to embellish.  Instead of being paralyzed with indecision, I was able to just create. 

I hate it when I'm paralyzed by indecision......

It happens all the time.

I just listed these on Etsy.  As soon as I get my camera back this week from Gail, I think I may put some kits together for the journals.   What do you think?  

Ok....gotta get some kids to bed.  Talk to you soon!  Karin

 

Once again......

I have no camera, therefore, no access to pictures.  So, because of my inability to post current pictures hindering my blogging efforts, I'm thinking this is the perfect time to organize a protest.   With all the buzz going around for the new CHA releases, I started to get nostalgic for some of the older paper that's no longer in circulation.   Three years ago, when I finally unearthed myself from a pile of laundry and made my way into the local scrapbook store, My Mind's Eye's Tres Jolie was just out.  

I went nuts. Bonkers.  I was out of my mind with creative possibilities.  Stockpiling it like a person who was getting ready for a nucleur war, I could not get enough of it.  

Then it was gone.  Just like that.  One minute I had the pick of the litter.....the next, the paper racks were like a ghost town.  I cried. I pleaded with store owners to order more.  They said it wasn't possible.  I was dangerously close to being barred permanently at Scrapbook Your Life. 

Time moved on.  Wounds were healed.  And new paper came out to keep me occupied.  However, I kept thinking of those fun filled creative days that Tres Jolie and I shared.  It was all so effortless back then.   My creations designed themselves.......sigh.....

So then I thought, why not stage a protest and make the manufactures come back with some of the old paper.   Kind of like a retro line of papers if you will.  

Who's with me?

And not only My Mind's Eye, but Crate Paper too.   I have a few sheets left of this.......

And when it's gone, I really don't know if I can move forward.   Just looking at it sends me in 46 different creative directions.  

So I was thinking we could all gather on the street corner of their office.....hold up signs saying pretty please....maybe, someone could bring some chocolate martini's....and we could demand justice. 

So who's with me?   Does any one else feel this way?  Are there any other papers you would like to add to the list? 

Ok, I'll meet you guys there as soon as I'm done with my Real Housewives of New Jersey marathon......Sounds good? 

See you there! Karin   

Because I'm still without my camera.....

I thought I would share with you something funny from The Onion.  I love The Onion.  I thought this was particulary hysterical........

News

Kid Ready To Start Playdating Again

July 22, 2010 | ISSUE 46•29

TAMPA, FL—Despite having been hurt more times than he can count, local kindergartner Kyle Gallagher told reporters this week that he's finally ready to get out there and start playdating again.

Gallagher, whose last serious relationship ended three months ago, said his decision to meet new children and return to the playdating scene wasn't easy.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous—after all, it's been a while since I've played spacemen with someone else," Gallagher said between small sips from a grape-juice box. "But I just can't worry about that kind of thing anymore. It's time to get back on that horse and see what's out there for me."

"I mean, I'm almost five and a half," he added. "I'm not getting any younger."

According to sources close to Gallagher, the small child has focused on keeping himself busy in recent weeks by drawing pictures of ninjas and searching for hidden treasures in hopes of distracting himself from the pain of his recent breakup.

Despite his efforts to forget about Jeremy and the time the two spent together jumping up and down on his bed, Gallagher admitted Monday that he missed having someone to share the things in his life with, be they his electric train set, or the "giant, pointy sticks" he would oftentimes find in his backyard.

"The playdating scene can be shallow, and you meet a lot of kids who won't think twice before lying to your face, but there's got to be that special someone out there somewhere," Gallagher said. "Look, I'm not going to say that it's not hard, because it is. But what am I supposed to do? Sit in the corner and cry all day?"

Added Gallagher, "Trust me, I've done that already."

Saying that all that he wants is someone to practice handstands with, or someone who has the same favorite color in common, the 5-year-old told reporters that he was just going to take things one step at a time.

"I'm not looking to get into anything serious right away," Gallagher said. "I'm not necessarily ready to open up about my dreams of becoming a fireman or someday owning a trampoline, but it'll be nice not to be alone anymore."

"Just as long as they treat me with respect, I'll be happy," he added. "I'm tired of playing games."

Gallagher said that his mother, Samantha, has been an additional source of frustration, due to her active role in his personal life.

"I keep telling her I'm fine on my own, that I'll start playdating again when the time is right," Gallagher said. "But she's always nagging me about this person or the other that she wants me to meet. I know she means well, but, give me a break. She treats me like a baby."

Despite the many challenges that lie ahead, Gallagher told reporters that he remained optimistic about finding a new best friend.

"Next year I'll be in first grade, and I'm starting swim classes, so I'll have some options," he said. "I just don't want to come off as desperate. I want to have fun, learn how to write, and maybe even get a puppy dog named Oscar. If I have time to dive into a new relationship, then great."

"After all, playdating is like riding a bike," Gallagher added. "Whatever that's like."

Since I still don't have my camera.........

I decided to draw a few pictures to illustrate the amazing Les Sirens weekend.........

Here I am taking off on Thursday........

 

 

When I first arrived at the hotel, it was a cosmic explosion of blogasphere people meeting real life people meeting "Don't I know you?" people, meeting new people.   Although, I'm sure the hotel staff thought we were just a bunch of crazy people.  

Here are some of the women I first met upon arrival......Karla, Beth, Danielle, Sherry and Cheryl.......

After vendor night, my friend Gail, Michelle and I partook in some fun beverages.......

After a day of amazing classes Michelle, Jenny and I went out for dinner..........

Here is a glimpse of our table............ 

Arrrrrrrrrrgggggggggg.....Carlos just asked me what "Freny" means.   Ack....I'm too tired to go back to finish it. So here's the correction....FRENZY!!!!!! blah....

I had the best tablemates you could ask for!  Looking forward to meeting up with Charlene, Lesley and Kristine again. 

Overall, it was one of those times were perfection meets relaxation coupled with amazing friends both old and new intertwined with good food and drink......a recipe for an awesome weekend to remember.   Thank you so much Kim for the experience!  

As soon as I get my camera back I will fill in with some more pictures......Talk to you soon!  Karin

I'm back!

I had the best time!  Unfortunately, I have no picture to share right now as my camera took an unexpected road trip to Sherman Oaks via my friend Gail's purse.  I stole one picture from Paper Tales blog of my tablemates.   These ladies were incredible.....we had so much fun!  

As you can see we were Table 2.  From left to right is (top) Jane, Lesley, Kristine, (bottom) Charlene, me and Michelle.

I'll have some more pictures and fun stories later.  Off to spend some time with the boys!  Talk to you soon!  Karin

I'm as ready as I ever will be......

My creations are packed and ready to head up to LA for the Les Sirens event.   I'm so looking forward to hanging out with everyone.  I need to go to bed but just wanted to share some of the stuff I'm bringing.   I'll have lots of pictures and stories when I return.....Talk to you soon! Karin

I know I'm supposed to be creating......

but I just have to show you our first official harvest from the garden.......

A cucumber!  And there is about 148 more where that came from.  We are going to have a big harvest.  So after taking the obligatory first cucumber of the season photos with the lover of all cucumbers......

We promptly made this.......

YummmmmmY!  A favorite in the Chaos household....a peanut butter and cucumber sandwich.  Revered by all........ eaten by few.   We are also just getting the sprouts on the corn while patiently waiting for those tomatoes to turn red.   

In the meantime........

Finally circled the last month on my kit making list.......

You have no idea how long it takes to put kits together.......

until you put kits together.   But I love doing it. So excited to see these kits fly off to their new home....

In between all of that I've been cranking out a few more things for Les Sirens.   It just occurred to me last night that I have not given one whit of thought to how the set up is going to be for my table (note to self: call Michelle and borrow stuff from Paper Tales),  the supplies I need for all my classes (note to self: borrow everything Michelle brings with her) or, what I'm going to pack to wear (note to self: borrow all Michelle's clothes)

 
 
   

  

Ok, gotta run!  Talk to you soon!  Karin

Oh, and remember, you can still leave a comment for the Video tutorial and journal kits at Where Women Create blog..........Just click on the icon and it will take you right over there!
  

Another dream about Target........

I had another dream that I filled my vendor table with things from Target.  Only in this dream, I went specifically to Target to get the stuff to put on my table.  I know exactly why I had this dream.  I looked at the calendar last night and realized I have four days to finish all my half finished projects.  Last week flew by while working at Paper Tales and working on all the kits for the journal project.  All this last week my children were addressed by the phrases "hold on,"  "just a minute," "I'll be there in a second," "I just fed you!" and "where is your father?!?!" 

I think I need to change this to "Dreams about Target"......

Alrighty....I just need to finish up those kits and then it's time to go bike riding with the boys! 

Don't forget to pop over to Where Women Create to Enter to win The "Big Ideas"  Journal kit and tutorial!! 

Talk to you soon!  Karin