Let's Get This Paw-ty Started!

Get ready for puppy party overload, as promised. This is totally gonna be like one of those awful times that your friend or family members corners you with a giant photo album, & then you have to sit there through the whole thing & act like you are really interested...

The puppy party went by so fast! I got some decent pictures, but it is so hard trying to be hostess, mommy, photographer, janitor, emcee, & referee all at the same time!

The party guests arrived to some fantastic sidewalk chalk greetings. We have done this the past couple years at our girls' birthdays. It's a lot of fun!

Last night I had constructed a dog house out of a cardboard box. My 4 1/2 year old told me that it didn't look like a doghouse, because dogs only have one opening & I had made two. She's right. But I did it on purpose thinking the kids could chase each other through the dog house like puppies. Nice idea I had, but there ended up being no chasing. Do you like my shingled roof though? I really got into it & had so much fun. The neighborhood kids were inspecting & "ooohing" & "aaahing". I can see this becoming a hobby. A giant cardboard village may soon be in the works! The kids got to the party & colored & decorated the doggie house.

The 3 party guests & birthday girl had a small table to dine at--complete with their own doggie bowls to eat from! You can see the "pin the nose on the doggie" game in the background. We also played a "find the sock" game. (Kinda like easter egg hunting, only with socks!)

Even the water bottles I had out with the munchies were all embellished with little bone or paw print buttons glued to the top. I always do this at my parties. It's a fun way to bring in the theme & adds that little touch that people don't expect.
I had a happy, though shy, birthday girl. She didn't do well with the focus being ALL on her. This was the only chance I got to snap a pic with her puppy ears on. A couple of the kids complained that they were itchy. I tried to get a cute photo of all the girls wearing their ears, but that was impossible. The puppy tees were a BIG hit though! I had both my girls wear theirs for the party. They really turned out cute--& even cuter when sweet little girls are wearing them!
The kids all left the party with goody bags filled with a bouncy ball, a light up whistle, lots of puppy stickers, a tiny puppy dog toy, & a plastic puppy ring. The adults left with a pair of my famous (passed down from grandmother) sugar cookies that I seem to always make at parties, again in the theme of the festivies.
It was a fun party & I can't wait to do it again! Thanks for coming along on this puppy journey! Arf!

Click HERE to see the puppy birthday invitations.
Click HERE to see the handmade puppy t-shirts the kids got to take home after the party.

The Calm Before the Puppy Storm...

It's not really calm around here. I just thought that title would be funny!

I've gotten so many cute ideas for this puppy party I'm having for my daughter who's turning 3 tomorrow. One thing I worked on last night were 4 pairs of puppy ears made from felt, snap clippies & little bows. The guests will arrive to put these on & get their noses painted black! I had to test a pair out. Yep, I could hardly recognize myself--I look just like a puppy!

And the BIG project I'm working on is making a doghouse from a cardboard box. What have I gotten myself into? I'm trying to keep it a secret from the wee ones, but it's been a bit difficult keeping such a large box hidden. Those kidlets can sniff out secrets in lightning speed!

Actually, I like going all out for parties! I just wish I had more time, because the ideas are plenty, the minutes are few....And, with that said, I'm off to finish the party plans!

Oh yeah, & be prepared for puppy party overload tomorrow night when I post pics of the festivities!!

My Cupcake Apron SOLD!

Yippee! More on the way after the weekend!

Cute Idea!

I always save any cute, cool or awesomely ingenious ideas I find in mags or on the internet. I just found one a few days ago in a subscription I receive from Good Housekeeping. (I normally don't subscribe to this mag, but I bought about 20 boxes of frozen Chinese food one day & received a coupon for a free year's subscription. As I was munching on egg rolls I thought, "Why not?!")

All you need are fabric zippered pouches or change purses. No sewing required! The idea is to simply stuff them with smelly goodness such as lavender (did you know it was moth-repelling?), potpourri, or other favorite flower buds & you have an instant sachet!!! Think of all the cute thrifty zippers you can find at Goodwill, garage sales or the dollar store! In this photo, they piled a few high, wrapped it in cellophane, & gave it as a gift. I LOVE THIS IDEA!

Check out my favorite pouches at these Etsy shops...

Sparkle Girl has lots of zippered pouches! My fav is her ice cream one!

TAC Designs has lots of cute coin purses & zipper pouches in adorable prints--even a "Design Your Own Small Zipper Pouch"! But, Pampered Poodle coin purse & Wizard of OZ are my favorites from this shop!

Simbiosis by Julia Bravo has many cute pouches, (among them a candy/cupcake one!!).

The Pink Shower Curtain Boutique has only 2 pouches right now-"little bird" & "happy flower"- but they are cute & worth looking at! I'm fond of Little Bird.

Kung Fu Cowgirl has tons of pouches--& a 3 for $12.00 sale! My fav is Asian Fans.

Those are just a few shops. Feel free to peruse Etsy for your fav's!

But, if you're a talented sewer with mad magic zipper skills, you can sew one up yourself lickety-split! I've never sewn a zipper onto anything in my whole life. It may be time to try....

My "TO-DO" List Is Getting Smaller!

I got a lot done last night & this morning. (Well, a lot for ME!) I had to show off the skullie tee I made for my cousins baby that'll enter this world on the 29th. I love using little scraps I have from large undone, kinda raggedy quilts I buy. There are so many fabric options to choose from on the patchwork quilts I have. And, I used to cross-stitch a looooong time ago, but now I have a new use for all that embroidery thread that's been sitting around!

My grandmother, sis & newborn nephew are making a trip down to St. Helens, OR tomorrow & I'm sending along a goodie basket filled with Etsy goodness. It includes: a monkey doll named "Homer" that I made a trade for from Tiddlywinks, an awesome burpcloth I won as a Saturday Night Special "secret" at Etsy from Rowley Baby, my skullie tee, a handmade card & tag by moi, some cute duckie tissues, & I even included a handmade little purse I made from a sweater sleeve & a pinwheel gift tag for the new big sister filled with dollar store treats!

I also finished my little daughters puppy tees for her & her party guests this Saturday. The birthday girl gets the white one. She's not so girly-girl, so I made hers with a non-floral print.

And for my big finale....Look at this adorable apron!! It's a thrifted apron that I embellished with a cupcake. Everything is vintage, including the buttons--except for the striped brown, yellow & cream fabric on the cupcake. Isn't it cute? I LOVE it! It's a nice longer apron--comes to the middle of my knees & it has a nice ruffly wave at the bottom. It's so bright & cheery with all those crazy colors!!

There are some tiny spots of dark "something-or-other" on the bottom of the apron. I didn't even notice it until I was finishing it last night. I'm still planning on listing it in the shop, hopefully later today when the kidlets enter their bedrooms for (mommy's much anticipated) "quiet time"!

Sweet Scents!

Not only am I a recent addict to cupcakes, but a long-time lover of sweet & yummy scents! These are some of my favorites--some new, some been around a while. First off, the Glade French Vanilla room deodorizer. We're always getting "bathroom" sprays & I just pick up something different & cheap when we run out. This is the latest. I love it! It think it's less than $1.50.

OK, next. Demeter Fragrance Library Home Atmosphere Spray in Waffle Cone scent. Oh. My. Gosh. This stuff smells just like you walked into a waffle cone store. (Do they even have those? You know what I mean.) It is so yummy. Check out the Demeter Fragrance web site & browse their long list of frangrances! Among the many scents are Laundromat, Dirt, Salt Air, Playdoh, Orange Cremecicle, Bubblegum, Caramel, & Earl Grey Tea. I'm thinking I might have to purchase their Vanilla Cake Batter, Sugar Cookie, Birthday Cake or Angel Food scent! The cost for the 4 oz "atmosphere spray" is $14.00 They also have men & women body lotions, fragrances, candles, shower gels & body sprays. If you get the chance to actually smell all of them, it is soooo much fun! I happened to get mine at a shop closing downtown last year for a reduced price. I stood & sprayed every tester they had -& giggled with my mom!

And my last new favorite sweet scent is a body cream that I actually won as a prize at a bridal shower. It's "bodycology" brand vanilla buttercream scented body cream. It totally smells like frosting & it actually looks like frosting when you squirt it out of the tube. I sometimes pretend I'm decorating a cupcake when I squirt it into my hand! (You laugh now, but just wait! You'll pretend its a frosting filled pastry bag too!) This 2 oz. tube cost me less than 2 bucks when I picked up an extra one last night at (hold your breath)--Walmart. They also have body scrubs, lotions & sprays. But, I've only tried this body cream. Every time I put some on, it makes me happy & my daughter also says, "It smells like frostin' in here!"

So there. Nothing crafty to show tonight. But I'm working like a mad woman making a baby skullie tee for my cousins baby, getting the puppy tees finished for my daughters b-day, getting all the party plans organized & finalized, embellishing some FABULOUS thrifted aprons for the shop (I'll show ya tomorrow!!), making some new cupcake bottle cap pendants for the shop, & getting my cupcake swap stuff all put together.

See ya tomorrow!

Happy Monday!

Fridays are happy, shouldn't Mondays be happy too?

I wanted to show you this coolness of a project. These are belt buckles I got in a stashload of thrifted stuff--thanks granny! I had seen, a loooong time ago, Martha Stewart use square buckles as frames & so I thought I'd do the same with these roundish ones. I tried to find the link to Martha's buckle project, but couldn't find anything.

I just cut the picture I wanted to insert in the buckle & added 2 little round "bumps" on either end, kinda like a lemon shape. The bumps help hold the picture inside the "frame". You could fill the buckles with little pictures, pretty papers, a pressed flower affixed to paper, miniature artwork, a unique stamp, ANYTHING! Attach them to the wall with picture putty or adhesive foam dots. Or, just lay them on a coffee table or desk. Cool, huh?

Oh, I'm also finishing up my cupcake swap projects for my buddy that will go out on the 30th. (I'm trying to get it all done today & tomorrow as I have a party to plan for my 3 yr. old, which is happening this Saturday morning! AHHHH!) I'm sooooo wanting to post pictures of what I finished today. It is the ultimate in cupcake cuteness! But, I know my swap partner peruses my blog (**waves at jen**) & I don't want to spoil the surprise! But GOSH! I am itching to post my goodies that will be sent off soon! Don't worry, once I know the cupcake goodness has reached its destination, I will post pictures like crazy!

Goodbye WhiMSy...

There will be no "Yowza! It's the Sunday Featured Artist..." segment today. Instead I will take this time to say goodbye to WhiMSy. Not "WhiMSy love"! I'm talking about my little space I rented for 2 years at a local antique mall called "WhiMSy". It's closing on the 30th, but I cleared everything out today. Mom & pops helped me, & it took only 30 minutes to strip it bare!

I first stepped out to spread my crafty love to others by renting the most awesome little corner space amongst 40+ vendors in that building. I'm a little saddened, but not so sad like there's snot running down my face.

It's been a stepping stone for me to find Etsy & to be more confident as an artsy craft chik. And, who knows what is next! As I have said before: "I'm excited to see where my handmade adventure takes me!!

As I climbed the ladder to pull down the final piece of crafty goodness from the wall of my little booth, I said, "Goodbye WhiMSy. It's been fun..."

There is even a new Artsy place opening up really close to my house that sells used records & books & even artsy stuff. That's a possibility. I'll look into it.

Now, where do I put all this stuff? I think I'll have a garage sale in a few weeks...

More Goodies For The Shop!

I love my Saturdays!!! It means I get "Nikki Time"!!! And today I "vegged" out at my mom & dad's house & got my crafty on! It was peaceful & quiet & I got a lot done. Well, at least more than I ever could in my own home having curious little on-lookers with their curious little fingers! I have been selling a lot of vintage button rings lately & so I thought I should get busy with makin' some more. Here's a sampling of my new goodies!

I also brought home, from mom's house, a fence piece I've had over there for a while. (I do all my power tool/large painting projects over in their basement because I have no room in my house!) I'm excited to stick it somewhere in my yard. Maybe hang something from it? Yes, it's PINK!! My husband is going to die! (And not in a good way.)

I just bought one of those pinwheel sorta plastic sunflowers with the bright yellow leaves & the brown centers. You stick 'em in your yard & they spin, ya know? I remember my grandma having them. I think they are so cute. I pointed it out to my husband as we were pulling out of the driveway today & I asked, "Don't you remember those when you were a kid?" He half joking, but mostly serious said, "We didn't have those in my neighborhood." (What a pinwheel snob! HA! HA!)

We had an OK time at the Cool Desert Nights car parade last night. We didn't get good seating. It was kinda on the cool-ish side. The cars weren't as terrific as in previous years. The cars drove a different route which meant they weren't driving on OUR side of the street so the kidlets only got 1 piece of candy. I did get some cool car pics. The one posted here is of an old fire engine. It was blasting its siren REALLY loud. Pazely is covering her ears while Zoey is waving crazily hoping to attract the attention of some candy!

We always pick out our favorite car. My husband & I love this car! Complete with surfboard on top!! There was a pink Mustang that was a close 2nd!!

Anyway, I hope to get a featured artist for tomorrow, but have not heard from my artist yet! There may be a "Monday" featured artist this week!

A Sweet Treat!

Look at this cool stash of chenille bits & pieces that my mom picked up for me at a garage sale today. She was totally thinking "neck wraps". Some of the floral pieces would make adorable pillows. And, if I could quilt, I'm sure all of it together would make a schnazzy lil' blanket! But I don't quilt. So, there won't be a blanket. It pays to share your crafty projects, dreams & visions with others!

I'm so excited! I got a new solder gun/iron yesterday. (Crazy crafty chiks & their toys!) I hope this one works. It was in the mid price range, but I made sure that if it doesn't work that I can return it. I'm hoping to get rolling on my bottle cap rings! My buddy bellacolle has been giving me tips & pointers. I don't know if you remember my April blog posts about the whole "As Seen On TV" solder gun? Not fun.

I'm hoping to rip the packaging off tonight & get to it! I've been busy filling orders (yippee!!) so I've not been able to "play". Come tonight, I am totally gonna play, play, play!!!

The fam & I are going to the 14th annual Cool Desert Nights Car Parade tonight. We've gone the past 3 years, since we moved back to Richland from Arizona. It's just the most awesome fun of chillin' out in your beach chairs, eatin' something tasty, & watching really neat old cars drive by. They block off streets & everything! Some cars light up, some cars are very LOUD, some blow smoke & squeal their tires, but they are all unique & mostly really old. We always pick out our favorite car in the parade. Some of the people in the cars throw candy to the kidlets & my girls have a lot of fun. The first year we went I was 2 weeks from my due date with Pazely! I'm sure I was quite the roly-poly site! We always get a good spot in a park-ish area with grass & the girls can run around & play too. I'll try to get some fun & silly photos if I can to post tomorrow...

Happy Summer evening my friends! And by the way, thanks for visiting!

HaPpY SuMmEr!

Happy first day of summer everyone! The girls & I went to the store today & bought some summery fun stuff to celebrate. We got some pink-lined grass mats so the "divas of summer" can lay out in style! We also got bubbles, a squirting turtle that hooks up to the BRAND NEW! hose, & some mini golf props. It is so hot outside! Maybe dad will blow up the pool tonight & we'll have some fun pool-time tomorrow!

And, "What's this?" you ask? My almost--in 9 days--3 year old got into my makeup a few nights ago. There is purple glittery irridescent stuff ALL OVER my bag. I've been walking around makeup-less the past couple of days. I'm not enjoying that. Not that I'm a big makeup person, but a touch of this & that is much better than walking around looking like I just woke up from a nap all day.

My little toddler got makeup all over the walls, our bedsheets, herself. I wish I were there to get a picture, but for some reason the hubby doesn't think of pulling paparazzi moves during instances like that. Hm.

Well, the kidlets (& the Otter Pops) are calling me back outside! I gotta go!

Bow-wow!

Last night I had my once-a-month crafting session with some fellow crafty ladies, Kelly, Heather, Lisa, Candace, & Miyoung. It's actually a scrapbook get-together, but I don't scrapbook. I join them anyway & do other paper-y things. And this particular night I worked on my daughter's birthday invitations. I don't have a lot of supplies, just paper & a Fiskars cutter thingie. I was hoping to borrow from my resourceful bunch of friends.

I did have some dilemmas along the way...

DILEMMA #1: I had called Lisa, the queen of stamps (& scrapbooking), earlier in the day & left a message asking her to bring any puppy or dog themed stamps she had. I was hoping to arrive that night & see boxes full of doggie stamps to choose from. She wasn't even there! (I found out it was her birthday!) But she did send along the only puppy stamp she had. It ended up being PERFECT!

DILEMMA #2: Cute stamp! But no one had a stamp or ink pad! I used Heather's embossing liquid & powder, & a heat gun instead- my first experience with this! PERFECT!

DILEMMA #3: I was excited to use a large circle cutter that I see my friends using every week. BUT, no one brought theirs! The only cutter available was a sqaure/scalloped edge one. Thanks again, Heather. I loved it! PERFECT! (It was a funny night because everyone forgot to bring LOTS of stuff!)

DILEMMA #4: When printing out my invites, I totally left out an important piece of info--the actual DATE of the party! What a dingleberry I am! (Heather did point out, "That would be the perfect way to get people to RSVP!") So, I had to search within my crafty soul & figure out how to fix the boo-boo. I decided on typing the date on a tiny "sign" near the puppy stamp, with an idea from Kelly to embellish it with some cute little plastic bones I brought. PERFECT! I wanted to use one of those cheesy, but cool, office stamps with the date & month that you can rotate. Do you know what I'm talking about? There was not one to be found though. I need to get one. Just because.

I HAD to use my Dymo labelmaker SOMEWHERE on the card, so on the back I placed a label which reads "RUFF!" Heather hates those labelmakers because they are so cheesy. And that's EXACTLY why I LOVE them!

And after the invites are stuffed & sealed I'll used the leftover squares that were punched out of the front of the card to "seal" the envelope (thanks Miyoung for your input!) & finish it ALL off with a paw print sticker!

After the photo was taken, I did color the collar with a red pencil.

It is so fun to be around crafty gals & exchange ideas & opinions, (& crafty supplies), even bounce a thought off of someone else. (Because when I start to rattle on about my recent crafty projects to my husband, this expression settles over his face that is quite undescribable.)

A sweet project that could've been a total disaster, due to all the crafty walls I was crashing into, turned out PERFECT! It was a community project. And someone last night did mention...."It takes a village." It's a simple invitation & the most important thing is that my daughter LOVES them!

I hope the post office has dog stamps, because that would be even more PERFECT!

Patriotic Pinwheels

I've had a request for red, white & blue cupcake pinwheels picks. I don't know why I didn't think of doing them before! I still have to get used to all that "plan ahead/stock your store for the holidays" mentality. I'm refering to the upcoming 4th of July celebration. But these picks are great for any summer day! And remember, they really work!! And, they're cute. And miniature. They are in the shop now! Get 'em while they're fresh! I've got my pinwheel makin' fingers ready to make lots more this evening.

Puppy Power!

I've been working on these t-shirts for my (almost 3 year old) daughter's upcoming birthday party. These will be given as party favors. (Notice there are only 4! Too many kidlets & I'd have to scrap my sweet tee idea! Not enough time, ya know?) The pink t-shirt is the only finished one. They'll all have mismatched black vintage buttons for eyes. And all are made using vintage fabrics (except the white puppy on the pink tee).

I keep thinking of putting some fun kidlet tees in the shop.Ooh! Maybe cupcake ones too! OK, I'm gettin' excited now!!!

Speaking of the shop, it's been lacking in product addition lately. I seem to have so many things happening recently that I haven't had time to finish the handful of creative concoctions I'm in the midst of completing. Believe me, I'm DYING to add new items. Look for neck wraps, new button rings & other WhiMSy love goodies coming soon!

YOWZA! It's the Sunday Featured Artist...Polka Dot Creations!

I imagine the YOWZA! feature to be a "sippin' coffee, feet up, chillin' out with your blog homies, mello Sunday, nap is a'comin' soon" kinda time. It's not a quick read. It's like your favorite column in the Sunday paper. Or a mini-chapter in a good book. I hope you enjoy this feature & are inspired by the way the featured artists create & think.

And with that, here's my next guest, Lisa, who has an Etsy shop called Polka Dot Creations :

Where were you born, where are you from, where did you grow up, & where are you living now?

I was born in New Jersey, am from New Jersey, grew up in New Jersey, and am living in New Jersey, now! I grew up in an area that was a suburb of New York City, and now I am in an area with rolling hills, countryside, and horses that is only 45 minutes away from where I started. It feels like a completely different place, though.

What inspires you?

I get most of my inspiration from seeing what other things that people are making. Magazines, shopping, polymer clay workshops, and most recently blogs and etsy are all great sources of inspiration. I like to see something appealing and figure out how I could add my own twist to it.

How long have you been crafting?

I've always liked to make things, especially things I could wear. I used to finger-knit "ribbons" for my hair when I was in girl scouts. And I made about a million of those embroidery-floss friendship bracelets in high school. I was into rubber stamps for a long time, before they were cool. I found polymer clay 11 years ago, and pretty much all of my other crafty supplies fell by the wayside. I'm a complete and total clay addict, but recently I've been getting the itch to make more things that I can wear - not just jewelry - and I've bought myself a sewing machine so I can learn to sew, too. I've successfully made a few aprons, a few tote bags, and a skirt so far.

Share about, or describe your favorite piece.

That's hard, because every piece I make is my favorite until the next one ;-) Right now, I'm on a kick of making claythings to coordinate with designer fabrics. I think I would have to say my favorite piece is anything I currently have on Etsy that has fabric as a backdrop :-)

What's your favorite color?

Ok, that's easy. I'm a chartreuse gal. I like anything in that yellowy-green family.

What do you like to do when you're not being crafty?

I'm a computer geek - I designed and maintain my entire website. When I'm not being crafty, I like to fiddle with my website and maybe add some nifty new feature.

How much time do you spend on your craft?

It depends. There are times when I can go months without making a single thing, but I'm still usually immersed in craft in some other way. My website, in addition to being the place where I sell my clay creations, is also a book store. Anything you could ever want to know about polymer clay can be found there. So, even if I'm not actively making something, I'm still involved in the whole polymer clay community. When I'm in a particularly crafty mood (like right now) I make something practically every day. If I'm not making something, I'm reading about it, in a book or a blog.

What were some of your most recent purchases from other Etsy artists?

Well, I bought that cute button ring from you, Whimsy love , a bunch of notecards from Trail Mix Designs , a fun pillow from Vanessa and Company and I kicked off my Etsy obsession a few months ago with a backpack from Janine King Designs .

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given on pursuing your craftiness? "Just go - you need this, and we'll be fine!" (said by my husband when I was hemming and hawing about spending 3 days away from home on a polymer clay retreat) He was right: I did need it, and they were fine here without me. And now I take a weekend away every couple of months to take a class or get involved in a polymer clay guild activity. I come home refreshed and full of inspiration, and the boys enjoy a weekend in their pajamas with Dad.

What are your goals or dreams in regards to your art?

Well, for me, a lot of the joy is in the creating of it. I have my book store to help me pay for the supplies so that I can keep crafting. I like to sell my work because it validates for me that it's good enough for somebody else to like it ;-) Someday, I think I'd like to have a little creativity shop, where I sell books & videos, but also have a little section for my crafts to sell, and also an area for people to just come and be crafty together or take classes, etc.

What else would you like people to know about you?

Hmmm, well, I'm just really into the whole craft blog / etsy/ flickr thing right now. I didn't "get" how it was such a social thing until recently, and I think it's great! I've been into online message boards since I called my first bulletin board system in 1989. I ran a few BBS's in the early 90's and recently had my own message board online (The Polka Dot Cottage) for the past year. I recently closed it since I was spending all of my spare computer time blogging and didn't have any time left for it, but the archives are still around for anyone to read http://www.polkadotcottage.net/ . I also have my own internet radio station: Polka Dot Radio http://www.polkadotradio.com/ which is fun for me, when I'm not too busy with crafty things to actually update the song list regularly! I have dreams of being "Super Crafty Spotless-House-Having Cookie-Baking Mom", but the dishes stacked up in my sink tell the real truth about me...

Thanks Lisa! And, by the way, I love your clay button creations!

You can also check out her blog at http://www.polkadotcreations.com/blog/

Happy Sunday everyone! And Happy Father's Day to all you pops & daddies out there!

A Peaceful Dwelling...

I returned late this afternoon from an overnight trip to an orchard, Vista Hermosa, about 45 minutes from here. I stayed in a beautiful house surrounded by the homes & community of the migrant workers & their families. It was so peaceful. And quiet. And it was such fun to escape the tasks of mom & wife, even for just a short 24 hour excursion. What fun to giggle & stay up late. (Wait! I do that all that the time!) But, it is even more fun to do this when you are not giggling alone!

All 8 of us moms were able to accomplish a great deal of planning at our meeting to map out the coming year of MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers). All of us, each with our own gift, able to bring to a group of moms a wonderful experience of friendship, accomplishment, encouragement, freedom, (oh yeah, & craftiness!), is a big task, but one that I look forward to every year!

At our "getaway" this weekend, we just had such fun hanging out & laughing & crafting & eating & totally loving the chance to pretend we were on a short vacation without sticky little kidlets tugging at our now dirty shirttails.

I love this experience of volunteering at MOPS because it has given me the chance to pursue my crafty passions. It is fun to think that this handmade part of my life matters, even if just a wee bit.

Sesame Street Quiz

I just visited my blog buddy katydiddys & found that she had this Sesame Street quiz posted today. I thought it might be fun to do as well. And here are my results:

You Are Ernie

Playful and childlike, you are everyone's favorite friend - even if your goofy antics get annoying at times. You are usually feeling: Amused - you are very easily entertained You are famous for: Always making people smile. From your silly songs to your wild pranks, you keep things fun. How you live your life: With ease. Life is only difficult when your friends won't play with you!

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

And The Winner Is...

I'd like you all to meet Miss Roxi Valentine! Congratulations to beadeliciousbaby. Thank you to everyone who entered the contest. (Her name totally reminds me of someone that sings in a night club!) This was GREAT fun! And next time I have a contest I won't make the final wait so long! (What was I thinking?) Miss Roxi would like to thank you all too. You know, she even looks a wee bit happier to me. Holla at the head!

And, TOTALLY unrelated to all mannequin talk, my 4 year old daughter Zoey & I went to the river Thursday night & built a sand castle. Alright, I built it. She was off somewhere digging up buried treasure.She did, in the end, help me decorate it with seashells & broken glass, a feather & a flower. We had a really nice time together. I stepped into the water to take a picture & my legs went numb so fast. Next time I'm makin' Zoey take the picture!

A WhiMSy love Makeover!

I got a new banner for my Etsy shop today!! I thought it'd be fun to change it up a bit! My old banner (which is still the banner for my blog for the time being--this will soon change!) was made from a scanned piece of vintage fabric I like. You can totally see the creases from age in the fabric & everything! (Scanner-ific! Bleck!)

Strawberry Anarchy over at Etsy made it for me. She ROCKED at working with me! Please visit her, buy stuff & let her know I sent ya! (Another cool thing about her: she's from Scotland!!! My dream vacation one day with the hubby....)

Aaaahhhhhhh...

I made this neck wrap last night. Isn't that vintage polka dot fabric absolutely the best? I got it on my birthday road trip in April from a gypsy lady & her baby chihuahua. OK, I'm not sure if she was a gypsy, but she looked exactly how I picture one to look. She had wonderful stashes of hidden fabric at her yard sale. I was trying to talk to her about her puppy, but she didn't speak English. In fact, I bought a beat up wooden magazine holder with a fabric pouch from her & didn't see the fabric until my mom & I were leaving.

I've been wanting to make one of these microwaveable wraps for a while. After researching on the internet I decided that flax seed was the best filler as it retains heat the longest, with a bit of lavender mixed in. I LOVE lavender! I usually get my lavender from a great little place in town called Badger Canyon Herbs & Teas.

I made a muslin pouch to hold the seeds & a separate slipcover so it can be washed as needed. I tested out the neck wrap as soon as I was finished with it & I am LoViN' it! After "cooking" it for a minute, I put it on my neck, my back...I even slept with it on! I'm going to make one for my mom, grandma, sister--even my 4 year old wants one! The fabric slipcover in the picture is the one I made for my daughter. She picked out the fabric & everything.

Another thing about these neck wraps is you can throw them in the freezer for a nice cool wrap on a hot day!

My Recent Favorite Find...

This is my newest favorite kitchen friend. (*Bad photo-sorry! I took the picture at night, with a flash because only 1 of 3 lightbulbs ever works in my kitchen. It's an old house. Goofy wiring stuff, ya know?*) I picked it up at a thrift store a couple months ago, painted it pink, & finally hung it earlier tonight. It came with all the proper springs & doo-hickey inside parts. I think it soooooo adorable! Ignore the wallpaper though. Nastiness. (I'm renting. It's ugly.)

And the best part is that it works with extreme awesomeness!! I'm serious! It tears the paper towels, wax paper, or foil RIGHT off---straight & clean! Where has this thing been all my life? Everyone should get one. It is the coolest thing in my kitchen right now. And the funny thing is, it doesn't match ANYTHING!! My pinkness is creeping into the kitchen though.

Mannequin Head Prize Package!

Are you sick of hearing about that mannequin head yet? Well, take a look at this awesome handmade prize package that the winner will receive! Included will be: a set of 3 tacks made from vintage buttons (& attached to a piece of foam covered with a bit-o vintage fabric), one of my popular vintage buttons magnet, a bottle cap pendant for use on your favorite necklace or keychain (a simple key ring included!), an AWESOME set of 4 mannequin head mini notecards, a fun accessory for your wall outlets: plug-in decor (a floral shape covered in funky polka dot paper & a vintage bottle cap in the center), a pinwheel gift tag/present decoration, a mini pink pail made from a peat pot & decorated with bling-bling, a glittery cupcake gift tag & a couple other extra surprises!

You can still enter! Give the mannequin head a name, & post it in the 'comments' here. See the Saturday, June 2, 2007 blog entry. The winner will be announced midnight June 15th! Thanks everyone for playing with me!!

YOWZA! It's the Sunday Featured Artist...Katydid Designs!

Katydid Designs is really a nifty disguise for Laura Bray, an artist & crafter, residing in California. I met Laura through blog-world. Her paper doll girl cupcake picks caught my attention, as mentioned in a previous post. We had a secret cupcake pick exchange & from there, our crazy cupcake bond has begun. (Next we'll be exchanging altered books & collaging in each other's pages!! I'm so excited! Maybe I'll give you a peek in upcoming blog entries...)

In November 2006, Laura shifted from the world of Human Resources consulting to a more handmade atmosphere. Her Etsy shop, Katydid Designs, opened on May 7, 2007. With creative ideas unleashing, her shop is filling with unique goodies & sweet treats! A peek inside her store reveals original paintings, collage artwork, watercolor &/or mixed media notecards, custom paper dolls, cupcake picks & gift tags. My favorite piece of hers (besides the cupcake picks) is decorated with--guess what--? A cupcake! Laura's Literary Cupcake Notecards come in a set of 6--for six bucks! A portion of the profits are donated to the Friends of READ Orange County, an organization that supports the adult literacy program of the Orange County, California Library. The blank notecards are printed with original watercolor/mixed media artwork by Laura. They really are frame-able pieces. They are THAT special. I know, cuz I've received one in the mail! And yes, I did a cute little cupcake dance when I opened it. (She even painted the bubble manila envelope with the cutest little blue birdie! MAN, do I feel special!!!)

Laura is also a teacher of general arts & crafts classes. She has a website, www.katydid-designs.com where she not only sells her artwork, but also business tools to help artists and crafters make a living doing what they love.

Her blog, katydiddys, is also a friendly read. Check it out by clicking HERE.

Laura's motto? "If it stands still, it can be embellished." And she does mention in her Etsy profile that her husband, baby daughter & dog are constantly active!

Here's a bit of Q & A with this awesome craftin' gal!

Where were you born, where are you from, where did you grow up, & where are you living now?
Born in Cleveland OH and lived there until I was 12. Then (thankfully!) my parents moved us all to Southern California. I live in "the OC" now.

What inspires you?
Vintage, retro, sparkles & sweets.

How long have you been crafting?
I was really crafty as a child, but had a bad art teacher who blew-up all my dreams of a career as a fashion designer. I spent most of my adult life in business-HR & finance, then had a surprise pregnancy and decided to be more authentic about my life & rediscovered crafting & art. I've been doing the crafty thing for about a year now. I'm sorry I spent so much of my life denying myself of my creativity.

What’s your favorite color?
Pink, Robin's Egg Blue

What one thing did you believe as a child, that as an adult you now realize was silly?
I believed that *$%#% art teacher!

How much time do you spend on your craft?
I try to work at least 1-2 hours a day, but I do have a 2 year old, so that's not always possible!

What were some of your most recent purchases from other Etsy artists?
I just bought some cool vintage wallpaper for a craft project I'm working on from Unfinished Business & some cupcake earrings from Stuck on You. Those are for a cupcake swap I'm in.

What are your goals or dreams in regards to your art?
I'm hoping to get some of my original watercolor paintings licensed. I'd love to walk into Hallmark & see my work on a greeting card!

If you could be a cupcake, what flavor would you be?
Probably lemon poundcake because I'm a little zingy. And I would definately have sprinkles on top-I love to accessorize

So, bring your sweet self on over to Katydid Designs & support this sweet artist with a sweet tooth for the sweet things in life! You'll get no cavities! I promise. ( I've been told she may accept some form of cupcake bribery as payment.)

I Feel Like An Old Lady...

No offense to the "old ladies", but I do feel old.
I haven't announced this yet, but I'm going to be going to Oakland, CA for a week this summer with some young(er) people to do dramas & other awesome things. We'll be working with inner-city kids.
And, TONIGHT, I'm going to (for the first time) be working with the youth on a drama to music. It's called a "human video". I am so rusty on the subject of "dramas". I've been practicing a lot yesterday & today. A lot of movements & action. (I'm only 32.) But, my body is now sore. I can't move like I used to in my teeny-bopper days. Thus, I feel like an old lady.
But, I am a bit nervous to be entering into "THEIR" world. By "their", I mean the youth, young people. I've never worked with this bunch of teens before. I do remember being a teen once. And adults who entered my world had to earn respect, right? I am the dorkiest goofball so hopefully they'll ease up & let me in when they see how nerdy I am. But help LEAD them? That is a challenge I accepted. And, I'm scared, excited, nervous, & thrilled at what adventures await me!
4 hours & counting....
I'm going to go grab some pain relief in the meantime.

Cupcakes All Around...

I am working on this book made from cardstock & brown paper lunch bags. I learned how to make it on the internet. I'm always looking for fun little crafty things to make for a MOPS group I am involved in- (Mother Of PreSchoolers). I guess my title there is "Creative Activities Leader". But I prefer "Nik, Nik, the Crafty Chik".

This group really became a place of sanity for me when I started going 3 years ago with my 2 year old & a new baby. It's a once-a-month thing, for 2 hours, but you get to hang out with other moms of wee ones, get free breakfast & free childcare, get encouraged in your mommy-ness, & learn a new crafty trick! This September will be my 4th year attending & my 3rd year volunteering as "Crafty Chik". I don't know why I said all that, but there it is!

Anyway, don't you love the book? I'm not all the way done with it, but I think it's totally cute. It was fun to make too! And, of course, my beloved cupcakes adorn the front cover.....& the insides. The paper bags form pockets that you can tuck little secrets or treasures into.

Do You Want This Awesome Set of Notecards?

Hello my blog friends!!

Just wanted to mention that my Etsy friend Dani, A.K.A. bella arte by bella jean, is having a "Help the Kitty" 20% off sale! Purrrrrrrrr. Her already low prices will be discounted even more? YEP! Go check out her really cool photography OK?

And those notecards? Only 4 bucks! MmHmm. Help a girl & her kittty out!

P.S. (WhiMSy love's stuff is 20% off too. Today only. But I don't have a cat.)

MEOW!

A Morning at the Park...

I took my girls to the park the later part of this morning. I needed a break from craftiness. We needed to get out.

I'm finding it hard to juggle all the duties of a mom & wife & also the consuming passion I have for creating. If I could, I would craft all day. But I don't ever want my kids to resent what I do in terms of all the craftiness. I include them in every possible way. But I feel awful when I sit at the computer & my five year old says, "Mom, you like the computer a lot, don't you?"

I'm a lousy housekeeper. I'm not so great at cooking meals. But, I can craft with the best of 'em!

I'm learning to pick up a broom every once in a while. I'm learning to use the stove more & less of the microwave. I'm learning to prioritize, to organize, to get a flexible schedule planned out, so that I continue to be available for the little people in my life.

I'm learning to take more breaks & play.

Mannequin Head Update!!

I got a "cue" from one of my Etsy posse to list my top five fav's from the list of names! I've got 20 entries & these, so far, are my top picks (in no particular order, of course):

1. Martha-May Pinkleton (from http://catslovelycats.etsy.com )

2. Shaniquoi (from http://bellacolle.etsy.com )

3. Miss Roxie Valentine (from http://beadeliciousbaby.etsy.com )

4. Lenore (from http://knitschmidt.etsy.com )

5. Enid Louise (from http://reindeergirl.etsy.com )

6. Lulabelle Felice Cutorie (from http://alteredcrow.etsy.com )

I know! There's SIX, & not FIVE! Man! That was hard to choose! But, I'm still accepting entries........(a cricket is heard in the distance).............I will announce the winner on Friday, June 15th. Probably around midnight. I may post a sneak peek picture in the next few days of what the winner will receive!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO PARTICIPATE, JUST POST YOUR ENTRY IN THE COMMENTS SECTION SOMEWHERE ON MY BLOG!

Thanks everyone! Me & the nameless mannequin head think you rock!!

Nest Rings

I actually decided yesterday to put my "DORK" ring set up for sale in my Etsy shop, WhiMSy love! Why not? And do you know what? I watched the "views" go up faster in the first few hours than any other item in my shop ever has! You just never know...

Also, a couple nights ago, I finished a batch of vintage button rings. I have these really cool textured tan buttons that my daughter says look like nests. They really do! I've been dying to create a little nest ring from it, so I added 3 small vintage, champagne colored, pearls inside & they turned out so tweet--I mean SWEET! I sold one yesterday!! That was FAST!! I have the supplies to make 2 or 3 more. So head on over to the 'ole shoppe' soon & get yer own! They reminded me of some nest rings I've seen around Etsy. Have a looksie...

Harmony Metals created this sterling silver watercast ring with two freshwater pearls called "Twins in a Nest".

Here's Lil Fish Studios really cool nest ring made from bits of felted sweater, glass beads & a leather band. (This Etsy shop also has some really fun nest pins too!)






Midas Studio has an amazing nest ring which features a beautiful genuine round pearl nestled in sterling on a distressed band.






Angie Designs created a nest ring from glass beads, yarn & metal jewelry wire.

And lastly, but NOT leastly, is Starry Designs very popular sterling silver wire wrapped ring which comes with either Swarovski crystal glass pearls or Amazonite as the eggs.