First Day of School

Myriah is in 10th grade! Can you believe it? I can't. I am so proud of who she is growing up to be. My baby, Emily, is starting her first day of 4th grade. Look how beautiful my little chickie is! ugggh - They are growing up so fast.

I wanted to accomplish a few new routines starting today as well. I tend to wear myself out thinking of all the stuff I want to do and how I want to live. As a matter of fact, I think about it so much that I tend to let myself down but not accomplishing my goals. Though this blog I am sure I have already approached this discussion. So let's try this again.

1. I need to do some sort of exercise everyday. Everyday. I need the energy, the strength and 15 pounds to go away. I have clothes that have been waiting patiently to rejoin my current wardrobe.

2. More art, less internet. Plain and simple. I love looking at everyones blogs, reading their inspirational stories, and enjoying their tutorials. The problem is that there are just so many fabulous blogs that I spend too much time looking and not enough time doing.

3. Yep, I am a terrible housekeeper. Do I want to improve on this? hahaha I guess so!

Enough for now. The first day of the new routine is half a pass and half a fail. I did get on the treadmill, make school lunches, but I have been on the computer too long! (I am making a post - so that should count for something!)

Emily's art box turned out cute. Thank goodness she still lets me make stuff for her. Myriah is even letting me work on some of her folders! Woo!

I love this cupcake! I made it for a friends birthday and I think I will be making many more! What do you think?

Aren't these little people cute! I have so much fun painting them. I am working on several projects and will post pictures of them soon. Should have more time for the craft room since I had the Dish Network shut off. The kids aren't happy about it but I am enjoying it. We spend so much more time together and I am getting a lot more done around the house! They still have movies to watch just not access to 24hours of Spongebob and iCarly.

Wow! What's with the orange tinted pics? Emily wanted her nails and toe nails painted last night. She says it's time to bring on the flip flops! Not that you can tell from this picture but they are neon orange with turquoise swirls. Except for her big toes that have a flower on each one. She's so cute! She is growing up so fast and
I wish she would slow down. I will get an updated photo of Myriah on here soon. She has kept really busy with Drama and being on the JROTC Drill Team.

Poor Sophie needs a haircut. Tomorrow she will be brushed and bathed. I can't help it- I love this scruffy look better than the "just home from the groomer" look. If her hair is not pulled up, she can't barely see!

Bye for now!

Just a few photos to catch up a bit. Some from my trip to Guatemala, some crafts, and Christmas.
This was a wonderful group of people, I feel fortunate to have met them all.

Look at the view!

I adore this little one!

Paper Clay is too much fun!

Christmas Morning with the family. Does it get any better than this?

I love working with paper!

My trip to Guatemala was inspiring to say the least. I met so many people with kind words and big hearts. The children I had the privilege of meeting taught me that one person can make a difference. Thanks.

Also- yes, I took the leap and have my own etsy shop! Woo Hoo! That's good for now. You can see all my pictures from Guatemala on my Facebook page.

Audios!

Yet another try to catch up!

I thought I lost these photos of the items I made for the Halloween Swaps I participated in. Whew! Boney hands Frig Magnet

I love this framed witch!
Orange Halloween lights with purple crepe paper- much cuter than the picture!

Bag full of goodies! Halloween pin, Day of the Dead, Boo Rock and two glitter rings!

I could not get a good picture of this if my life depended on it! I love this witch pendent!!! So cute! Silver pumpkins and skulls. Lovely.

Set of four witchy coasters. (Sorry I can't remember the site where I got these awesome images! But thank you!!)

Pretty kitty jar topper. ... With glitter skull heads. Classy.

Is it wrong to love this glittery pumpkin scene? Cause if it's wrong, I don't want to be right!

Intermission (Cue Music)

Super Star!

Doesn't Em look beautiful! She sure is growing up fast. This is her favorite dress.

And we're back. Day of the Dead wands! ooohhhhh love.

This is the shadow box for Viv's Swap. I really hated to send this away.

This is a picture of the front. Goodbye Halloween. Hopefully, I will get some Christmas Crafts on here before Valentines Day!haha

Halloween Swaps, Finished Products and Fundraiser

Reasons why I am hoping to be super crafty soon:

1. School starts next week for the kids.

2. I cleaned the craft room yesterday.

3. Working part time is really...AWESOME!

4. Fundraiser at Applebee's is this weekend!

5. My schedule at work is great this month.

6. Halloween is right around the corner!

Speaking of Halloween, I have signed up for 3 swaps. One at http://koalafuzz.blogspot.com/2009/08/13-days-of-halloween-swap.html and two at http://vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com/2009/07/say-say-oh-playmates-come-out-and-play.htmlI already know what I will be making for 2 of the 3. I love, love, love Halloween. Hopefully we can get the floors finished up so I can start decorating soon.

Here are a couple of projects I have completed and then I need to get off this computer!!

Ta-Ta!

Yes I have been crafting... completing them is another story!

I had the idea I would make lots of cool down packs this summer. You know the kind with the crystals inside that poof up real big when wet? Well, I bought the materials (I am always good at completing that part!) and was going to make neck wraps, boo boo packs for little ones owie's, and several others. I thought they would really be a hit with family and friends so I gave out a couple for trial. Neither used it or spoke of it again, even though they were excited about the idea. Oh well, that's ok.

On the green plate is a smorgasbord of miscellaneous unfinished crafts. The cat and eyeless yellow duck are my first attempts at Paper Clay. Love it!!! Now I just wish I knew the best place to buy more.

Life is good...

Since my camera is out of commission I have recruited Myriah as my photographer. This is two of the necklaces that I made for a birthday present. I love making nests and birds out of just about any material. The wire nests make such fun pendants, earrings, magnets, brooches, and my favorite is the rings! LOVE LOVE LOVE! The second necklace has a pendant with a map of Guatemala sandwiched between a piece of clear glass and a piece of colored glass on the back. I hadn't soldered in awhile and need to get more practice, but it was fun working with the glass again. I made several pieces of jewelry a couple years ago with glass and solder and I loved it. I made this one because Erin, who is also involved with WATW, went to Guatemala to visit the area that will be receiving the school supplies and funds from the Project Guatemala fundraiser. *I am receiving a box today with handmade items from the Mayan women of that area today! All of the profits from the jewelry and such goes to the children. The added bonus is that by buying the handi-craft items, these women get to stay home with their children instead of working in the coffee fields and get $1-2 for a 12 hour shift. For more information check out http://www.writearoundtheworld.org/ or email me and I can show you the goodies!!

I wonder if there is help for my Crafter's Attention Deficit Disorder (CADD)? If there is maybe I wouldn't have so many started projects that need finishing. Like a papier mache duck with no eyes or the, oh so cute, apron made from a toddlers dress that is 90% complete? The list goes on. I guess if there was a cure I would be overwhelmed with how productive I can actually be and maybe even find my niche, my calling card if you will. But honestly, how fun would that be to work with one material at a time, completing projects and being so organized that I would have a thriving business of my own? Nah, I will stick to my doll that still needs her hair, the jewelry that is just about finished, and the ideas that fill my dreams instead of my craft room. Life is good!

Time flies...

Where do I begin. The last few weeks have been odd. I have managed to do a little crafting but not as much as I would like.
We lost our Copper a week ago last Wednesday and have really had a rough time dealing with it. Seems so odd not to have him with us. We miss you Copper. (I don't have a good picture of him on this computer but I will put one on here soon.)

Last night we had Em's Birthday sleepover and it was a fun time. I made the marshmallow lollipops that I have seen on so many blogs lately. I believe I got the recipe from Bakerella's blog. Anywhoo- they were so easy to make and were a hit. A favorite of the evening was the cake! It was Yummy! OME!

April Craft Challenge! Woo Hoo!

Boy, it's amazing how a few craft supplies can stir up your imagination. I joined Christ's Craft Challenge and it was really a great experience. First thing I thought to make with the given supplies was a frog. A frog with one of those bags on stick (is there a name for this bag?) playing a fiddle, holding a sign that says, "Will play for Flies." No- how about a small doll with a green jumper dress holding a small frog softie? No. No. What about a mamma bird feeding her babies? YES! The burlap would be perfect for a nest!

What great fun and I was amazed at the creative process I went through, and the ideas I know have for future projects. ( I would still like to make the doll with the dress, holding a frog softie. Should she be made out of paper clay or material?)

Anyway, if you like my Mamma Bird, vote for me at http://christynelson.net/ . Now I know why bloggers get into photography, these photos don't catch the charm of the cute little babies! Oh! There is a clothespin on the bottom of the nest so that it can easily be attached on a branch.

Easter

The dying of Easter eggs this year was so much fun. Kim, a friend at work, had recently seen on Martha about silk dying eggs and came to work so excited. At lunch she found a couple of silk outfits at the thrift store an was nice enough to cut them up and give me some.

Didn't they turn out beautiful! We didn't use eggs from our chickens, they are lovely all on their own.



Both girls received a cashmere bunny, I used the pattern from Betz White. So cute! http://www.lollychops.com/ had the cutest pencil topper patterns and the softie peeps pattern from http://stitchewe.blogspot.com/2009/03/felt-food-my-peeps-are-here-free.html.

Emily didn't mind the rain and wasn't going to let it ruin her hunt.
Emily found all but three of the eggs, Sylvia found those! Mom and dad spent the day with us which is always Nice.

Happy Easter!