{ HappyLittleArt }

Six More Weeks of Winter?!!!

2012-02-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

While the Winter doesn't really affect us up here in Northern California where we have mostly sunny days....a lot of my Friends and Family are on the East Coast and six more weeks of winter doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun even though this year it seems like its been pretty light on the snow. In honor of Groundhog Day and hoping the little rodent wouldn't see his shadow....we had a silly morning with "Groundhog" pancakes!! I had seen these somewhere and knew it would be fun to make...My Kiddos had a good laugh!!

Did you know that there are about 23 or so Groundhogs around the US and Canada that are used on February 2 to predict whether or not there will be more six more weeks of winter?! Only three of them Punxsutawney Phil {Philadelphia}, Malverne Mel, {New York} and Balzac Bill, {Alberta} say six more weeks....all the rest like Staten Island Chuck, {New York}, Shubenacadie Sam, {Nova Scotia} and Wiarton Willie, {Ontario} all say Early Spring!!! That's quite a difference in favor of an Early Spring!! What do you think will really happen?

Tonight's Valentine Countdown prompt is to watch a "Love Movie", fittingly enough we will be watching Groundhog Day will Bill Murray....Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.....Groundhog Day with Bill Murray...haha...{If you've seen that movie...you got that....if not...you should really watch it...its quite funny!!} I have a little groundhog pudding cup dessert planned for them too for after dinner!! and just so you know....I totally don't care if they think I'm crazy!! {Which I'm quite certain they do!}

Happy Groundhog Day!!

Some Words....

2012-02-01T09:08:00.001-08:00

This is how I feel most of the time.....

Poster Source: Here

Hope your having a super week so far!
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A Sweet Surprise!!

2012-01-31T15:09:00.000-08:00

My Oldest and his beautiful Girlfriend called today to say they were on their way over because they had something for me! I laughed and said well...I'm still in my pj's...{it was WAY past the getting dressed time!!} He said they would be here in a minute...Fun!! When they arrived they handed me a little pink box of goodness...seriously...

Macarons from La Boulange Bakery in San Francisco! Oh my! Look at these little beauties...so pretty and its a no wonder they are used in so many desert tables!!

According to Wikipedia...A macaron (French pronunciation: [makaˈʁɔ̃])[1][2] is a sweet meringue-based confectionery made with egg whites, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food coloring. The macaron is commonly filled with buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two cookies.

I can't wait to try them, the last time they were over we had been talking about them and how I wanted to try them!! I am going to save them for after my workout...{Yes, I am rewarding myself with a little happy Macaron for working out....LOL...as counter productive as that May sound...I can't wait!!}

What a nice and sweet surprise!! Thank You!!

Hope your day has been as sweet!

Valentine Treats!!

2012-01-30T19:31:00.000-08:00

Hello!!! How are you??!! Are you getting ready for Valentines Day? Is your home getting little bits of red, pink, and teal accents around? Valentines is such a silly fun holiday!!

The best part of Valentines....is making yummy treats and sharing them with people you heart...I know it makes me feel happy!! The packaging makes it super cute for giving too and makes whatever is inside the bag, tastier too, I'm quite certain of that!!!

The Treats: I made the standard recipe for rice krispy treats....let them stand for a bit and then poured the melted caramel all over the top of the cooled rice krispy treats! {I scrapped the bowl and ate that spoonful bit of leftover goodness too!} I then cut them apart and dipped them in melted chocolate and added some sprinkles...you know you have to have some sprinkles. Easy and YUMMY...did I say Yummy and easy!!??!!

The packaging was easy....Scrapbook paper and bits of this and that...easy and fast! That cute red button says in French...."I am Loved"....its from Helzberg Jewelry stores. They have them in all different languages....If someone buys you jewelry...well, you are loved...The same thing happens if someone gives you Chocolate Covered Caramel Rice Crispy Treats...You Are Totally Loved!

Hey, have you "Liked" my HappyLittleArt Facebook page yet? Its an easy way to know when there is a new post here on the blog!! You can Like it HERE!

Hope you are having a great week!!

Valentine's Countdown Calendar Sneak Peek!

2012-01-13T10:53:00.000-08:00

It's Friday the 13th!! Are you superstitious? I was reading an old article about Friday the 13th being unlucky on The National Geographic News and in one part of the article it said:

"According to Fernsler, numerologists consider 12 a "complete" number. There are 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 apostles of Jesus.
In exceeding 12 by 1, Fernsler said 13's association with bad luck "has to do with just being a little beyond completeness. The number becomes restless or squirmy.

This fear of 13 is strong in today's world. According to Dossey, more than 80 percent of high-rises lack a 13th floor. Many airports skip the 13th gate. Hospitals and hotels regularly have no room number 13.

On streets in Florence, Italy, the house between number 12 and 14 is addressed as 12 and a half.

In France socialites known as the quatorziens (fourteeners) once made themselves available as 14th guests to keep a dinner party from an unlucky fate."

Interesting indeed, I say....and its a good thing I'm working with the Number 14 today!!

Since I never got around to finishing my Christmas advent calendar....I had good intentions but it just never happened and I really wanted the Kids to have the fun of the countdown....so...I'm making up for it with a Valentine Countdown Calendar...a countdown to Love Day!! Here are some of the boxes I have done so far...

The little Martha Stewart boxes I found on sale are perfect. I tucked 5 little candies into each box and added a little tag inside that has an activity typed on it. I used the numbers I had printed out at Christmas time {free, Thank You!} from Just Something I Made and decorated each box!! I can't wait till the Kids get to open one each day!

The activities in these 5 boxes are:
1. Bake and Decorate Cookies and Share with Neighbors
2. Watch a "Love" Movie with Popcorn
3. Play a Game of "Scrabble"
4. Go Out to Eat - Must Wear Something Red
5. Make Homemade Valentines

I Still need to find about 5 more activities (inexpensive and fun)and buy a bag of mixed candy to finish the rest of the boxes but I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at my Work in Progress!

Hope you are having a great day and don't go under any ladders, cross a black cat or step on a crack!!!

Can Cookies Ever Be Bad??!!!

2012-01-03T12:28:00.000-08:00

I have lots of New Year Resolutions. I make them every year and try hard to continue them for longer than the first three weeks of the year. This year is essentially no different except that this year, I've already jumped started a few of my resolutions and I'm not taking my failures too hard. When you're too hard on yourself for the small failures you set yourself up for quitting. We don't want to quit we just want to chug along and do better!! With each new day I get up, I have a new chance at succeeding and reaching my goals for 2012...Isn't that great?! You bet it is!!

As with most people, one of my goals is to lose weight and get healthier...I've been on Weight Watchers and working out seriously, for about 2 1/2 months now. I've lost countless inches and almost 25lbs. I've got a ways to go...but I feel healthy and good. Better, in fact, than I have in years!! I am consistently trying new things to stay in my point range for the day all the while adding good sctuff to nosh on...Today I had the brilliant idea that I would make this recipe. Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies with no sugar....only 3 WW points and hell...a cookie with no sugar can't be bad for breakfast can it?? No it can't...of course not....and definitely not when its packed with yummy good things perfect for your insides and out.....so I set about making these delicious sounding treats.

I was out of Almond meal...That sounded funny...like I often use Almond Meal...not..never before, so I substituted Ground Flax Seeds and swapped applesauce for the oil. Please don't ever do that.....Oil is good. I WILL remember that for next time!! {Next Time??! The Kids just screamed!!!}

After following her directions....I baked these beauties and boy did they smell good. They really did. Like banana bread, which is what I probably should have made instead. The timer went off...and I waited till they cooled and told everyone to try these...YAY...healthy cookies....everyone said okay...yum....and then...and then....I saw one Kid feeding it to the dog...who then promptly spit it out all over the floor...what? What? The oldest said "Wow, these taste really Healthy, Mom!"

What was going on in here? They are delicious cookies.....baked to perfection with dried raisins and cherries in them....how could they not be AwEsOmE?? I would have to risk eating the 3 points now instead of after my workout like I wanted.....I went to the kitchen and tried one....hmmmmmmmm.....they lacked something....they were chewy and full of stuff....and good for you....but dang it....they were NOT the awesomeness I had expected, they were not sweet and ooweey ...they were....HEALTHY and they tasted like it! Could I salvage the cookies so they would at least get eaten and not ALL by me? I did what only I could do....I tossed a bunch of icing on them and sprinkled them with pink sanding sugar....Nothing tastes bad with icing and Pink sanding sugar!!

I had told my Workout Bestie that I would bring her a couple to enjoy after our workout and for tomorrow morning....I'm a little hesitant but I thought...If I packaged it up all cute...it will taste better too...Right?? Of course!! So I quickly packaged a few up to share with her...with silly little fun proverb tags that say things like.....: Don't Bite off more than you can Chew!! Too funny!!!! At least we'll have a laugh!!

I'm quite certain there will be way more kitchen failures...and I'm sure lots of people have made these cookies and thought they were the best thing since...well since cookies....but for me....I'll skip making Healthy Cookies for now and eat the bad ones in moderation!!!
Have a Great Day!!

Happy New Year!!!

2011-12-31T14:58:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to Thank each and everyone of YOU for all your encouragement and support during 2011!! Please know that you are all very much appreciated!!!

Photo Source: Martha Stewart

I hope 2012 is exciting, healthy and super fun-filled for all!! See you in the New Year!!!
Much love and gratitude,

Words Today....

2011-12-28T20:16:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit: Unknown

Merry, Happy Christmas!!!!

2011-12-25T12:25:00.000-08:00

I truly hope your Christmas is everything you had hoped it would be and more!!

Hugs and Love,

Wordly Wednesday.....

2011-12-21T15:21:00.000-08:00

WOW! WOW! WOW....Where has all the time gone??? The season is almost done...gone...over...how sad is that? Hate...that....Hate Shopping too...but that's a lot of what I've been doing...and trying to shop on a tight budget....grrr...hate that too!! Is anyone else struggling this Holiday season? It doesn't help that my Mum is not here and this is the first Christmas without her...so my emotions are up and down and....up and down!! Just keeping it real.

I'm trying to remember these words....because they are sooooo true!

Photo Credit Unknown

Hope to be crafting full time again...starting next week. One of my goals for 2012 is to be more consistent, something I definitely need to work on. The shop is closed until the new year with hopes of having some fun new stuff in there then!!

Hope your Holiday season is going great!!
Hugs!

Wednesdays Words.....

2011-12-07T14:42:00.001-08:00

Happy, Happy Wednesday!!!

Photo via Studio Mela

Hope your week is going great!!

December Daily!

2011-12-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

I'm always behind. I finally started working on my December Daily! I've taken pictures and I have stuff ready to go into it but....NO pages ready....so today I started working on the cover....

Since this is my first year playing along with the December Daily idea...I'm not sure what size will work best so I went with an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2. I used Martha Stewart wood grain paper on the cover and then embellished with some of my large crepe paper frill ribbon in white. Then using bits from here and there...some red and white twine from my etsy store, a Martha Stewart holly leave and felt pointsetta, a peppermint stick from Michael's, snowflake from Jolee's by You, letters from Pink Paislee...I just started layering...

I can't wait to start getting some pages together!! Such a fun idea!! Are you doing a December Daily? Have any good tips to share?
Well....back to it....Hope you are having a fabulous day!!

Cookies are Made of Butter and Love!!!!

2011-12-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

Its the time of year where everyone is baking and cooking all sorts of delightful delectables!! Every year when December rolls around I say I am going to host a Cookie Exchange Party, this is the year! Then too many things come up and I forget about doing it, when I finally remember....well its just to late!! Luckily I was invited to a friend's cookie exchange! So I was able to have all the fun without all the work! We were to each to bring 3 dozen treats....and a $10 gift to exchange!
While I wish I could be like Bakerella....I just don't have those skills in me....so my attempt at snowmen gingerbread turned out looking like this instead of looking like her little adorable masterpieces!! Oh well....they tasted Great!!

Quite a few of mine.....overflowed onto the sides of the cookies...but I didn't mind...those ones stayed home...and got new names...like Melted Snowman Cookies!! They tasted just as good as the "real snowmen".

For the gift exchange I gave one of my mini albums with all green accents...it got traded several times before finding its new home!! That was so fun to watch and see!!! I wrapped it up all pretty too....

I hope you get a chance to go to or host a cookie exchange party! They are so fun...I meet some really nice people!! We played games, ate, told stories, swapped gifts and I came home with 3 dozen different cookies {I wont be eating them though of course and I kinda hope the family gobbles them fast!! Its so hard to resist yummy treats this time of year!!} I'm glad I was invited and went!!! {Thanks MP!}

So whats your favorite Cookie recipe? Is there something you make every year that is a tradition that you can't do without? Do you leave cookies out for Santa?!

Hugs,

*Norwegian Proverb

Hello! Happy December!!!

2011-12-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

Wow! December already!! Thanksgiving was wonderful!! Truly! I had family in and everything turned out great! I feel so blessed to have such a crazy and awesome family!! The food was super delicious! Some of the highlights were: Honey BBQing the turkey in the back yard which turned out delightfully moist and tasty. My Sister made a new {to me} stuffing that had sausage in it and that was so yummy, I had an incredible hard time staying away from it. {I did gain 1.4lbs this week! Just keeping that real!} My Sisters and Family laughed a lot, ate a lot and of course did a little crafting!!

My Niece shared with me a web site that I had never heard of but was super fun... Cut Out + Keep from it we made little stuffed owls..

These owls are from the two youngest members of the craft team! A D O R A B L E!
Unfortunately...everyone took home their owls with them before I was able to get a picture with them all together! Everyone of them turned out beautiful and fun though!! Success!!!

The next day we painted rocks. Painted rocks?! Yes....we painted rocks! Our intention was to paint them and them leave them all over town on our travels...perfect for making someone else have a smile! The idea that made me want to do it came from Chicken Nugget Lemon Tooty but really I've been seeing it everywhere, Renton Rocks and my favorite, Color Me Katie Here are a few we did....

While I went to the gym, half of the crew went to the mall....I forgot about taking pictures of the dried rocks but the Kids didn't forget to take them....they placed them here and there and when they were done shopping retraced their steps.....ALL the rocks were gone!! Found new homes!! There was a cat one and a mustache one....one that looked like a a gourd, painted orange that said "Eat More Squash", ones that said things and some that didn't but they were all fun....and ALL were gone by the time they came out of the mall! The Kids came running into the house to tell me that they were all picked up!! They loved it!! I was bummed that I didn't get pictures of all of them before they were placed and I was a little sad that I didn't go to get pictures of the actual placement but Mall shopping on Thanksgiving weekend...NOT for me....its okay though....another batch is going to be made soon {LOVE}....and I'll make sure I get pictures next time!!!

I hope your Thanksgiving was full of blessings and Family and Love!!

Now that December is here I'm gonna try to do a December Daily. If you don't know what a December Daily is... you can check out Ali Edwards posts on it....basically its an accounting of your life in the month of December! I think it will be a wonderful thing to bring out each year to see what the previous year before was like! Like I said....I'm gonna try!!

I downloaded these free number tags from Cathe Holden's Spool Advent Calender! {Which is so fun!} I printed them directly onto card stock to use in my little album....I'll show you as it progresses!!

I'm off...Hopefully your having a great day!!! Happy December!!!

Happy Beautiful Thanksgiving!!

2011-11-23T15:52:00.000-08:00

Photo: Unknown

Just popping in....

I didn't want Thanksgiving to go by without saying how very Thankful I am to YOU...my visitors to HappyLittleArt....I love that you take time out of your own life to see whats going on in mine!! Thank YOU!
I hope you all have a Happy and Joyful Thanksgiving!
Hugs,

Wednesday's Word...Right on Time!!

2011-11-16T13:55:00.000-08:00

Photo Via Sherbet Blossom

I feel happy today! I hope you do too!! Do you? I hope so!! I havent been very crafty though...trying to take care of the normal stuff...the everyday stuff...bills, laundry, cleaning, Snack Mom duties, shopping....everyday life has me busy...and I'm glad and Thankful and Content.

Thank you for stopping out of your busy day to visit me!! That was super nice!!
Hugs,

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving!!!

2011-11-14T11:11:00.000-08:00

Whewwwww....its been crazy busy around here...with what...I don't even know but I feel like I'm just going, going, going!! Ever feel like that??

Thanksgiving this year is at my house and I am pretty excited about it!! Someday...my Whole Family will be together for the Holidays and that will be pretty incredible...but this year both of my Sisters will be travelling here and that makes me happy, happy, happy! I'm hoping for a fun, relaxing...family love fest!! {Hoping, Hoping, Hoping!}

I decided I wanted to put out a few favors this year and so I made little pockets with candies in them....Butterscotch sticks and Ghirardelli squares...Yum! I think I only have to make 5 more and I'm done!!! I downloaded the Free {Yay and Thanks!!} tags here at Shingdig Parties and here at Hostess with the Mostess! They were the perfect little tags for these bags!

The goal will be to have a bowl of cute papers and pens available and have everyone write something nice about each person and tuck the notes into that persons pocket....Then they can take their pocket and read all the little notes inside!! Fun!!

I'm hoping everyone will want to take part....what a happy thing to take home with you! Little love notes from people who love you and you love! I can see a mini album coming on.....

I've also decided to give some sweet sticks out to the Kids..and a few adults{kids}!! I love these candies on a stick! Gummies, lace, licorice, Cinnamon squares, lemons, peach O's...all fun fall colors... and they are so yummy...I know for sure because I've already eaten one!! Bad.

So that's what I've been up to...how about you?!! Do you have some fun Thanksgiving Traditions that you would like to share?
Hugs,

The Race was on.....

2011-11-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

WOW...the last couple of weeks RACED by...literally...it was all a flash...and quite a thrill. Whats been happening??!!! For me....A Friend of mine asked me to go on a quick trip with her...so..I headed out to NC and VA...Halloween weekend, leaving on Friday at 4:30am...Really...who flys that early? Why are the airports even open!? When my Friend and I arrived in NC we were slightly unprepared for the weather difference...it was F R E E Z I N G there...Thankfully my Sister lives in NC and was able to bring me a coat....We were there to meet this guy and go to the Races...

Now I'm not a true NASCAR fan, in fact I've only been to, I think, one other race but it was fun to go behind the scenes at the race track and to meet Jeff Gordon {#24} in person...it didn't hurt that he was also a cutie, nice and just my height...Just sayin!

We spent a lot of time looking around the garage on Sat., looking where we would be sitting on Sunday and just generally taking in the whole NASCAR experience....

On Saturday night my Sister and I headed out to the Woods of Terror in Greensboro, NC...What a blast that was!! It was so scary and my Sister kept shoving me to the front....I definitely didn't want to be the lead going through, but it kept happening....20 acres...20 big acres!! Outside...in the woods...in the dark...with scary dressed up people...and screaming everywhere...and chainsaws...and it was a TOTAL Blast!!!

Photo Credit: Unknown

I arrived back home Halloween afternoon and quickly planned a dinner of spooks....we ended up having Mummys {Wrapped hot dogs}, Fried Rattlesnake {Tatar tots} and Brains {Sweet and Sour Rotkohl} .....it worked out great..I didn't have to spend lots of time on it, {jet lagged and tired} Everyone gobbled it up...the neighbors even came over and ate all the leftovers!! Yay! Here are some of the crew...My Honey makes the best Michael Meyers eva! He stands around perfectly still and freaks people out!! Love! Ms. M. was a "Modern" fish. Her outfit was Cool enough to hang in and trick-or-treat! She picked out all the material and cut all the gills herself!! Like, Like, Love!! Ms. H.....of course was the Toadstool! All Fun!!

The rest of last week I spent getting ready for a craft fair. My Girlfriend, Marianne came over and helped me make lots of chocolate covered pretzels we took to the show on Saturday. {Thank you so much, Marianne!!} I have another show on Wednesday of this week but I'm already ready for it so I wont have to run around like a chicken with its head cut off this week!!! Wooohoooo!!
If you happen to be in the Bay Area please stop by the Holiday Fair at Monte Gardens Elementary Wednesday, Nov 9 12:45p to 7:00p at Monte Gardens Elementary, Concord, CA...swing by my booth and say Hi, I'd love to meet you!!

That's whats been going on with me...Whats been happening in your world?! I hope to be starting on handmade Christmas gifts this next week....so you'll be seeing some of that and I hope to update my shop soon as well!! I will re-open my shop on Thursday of this week! Fun!!
Cheers,

My Favorite Little Toadstool!!

2011-10-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

I made my Daughters' Halloween costumes this year. A seamstress, I'm not...so we looked around online for "beginner" costume ideas....When my youngest saw a Mushroom costume on Family Fun she said that's what she wanted to be! Okay....looked super easy to make...

This mushroom cap was a little time consuming because of all the hot gluing but easy, easy, easy to make....You only need a couple of items to make it too!!
1 Sombrero
1 yard of red and white felt {which is on sale right now at Joanns!!}
Hot glue gun
scissors
paper {you could even use newspaper!!}
Bubble wrap

It came together fast and she looked adorable and the best part....she loved it!! My other Daughter wanted to be a fish, she picked out some fabric and cut all the gills herself and pinned them....I sewed them up and her costume is super cute too..however..I was unable to get a picture of her just yet...hopefully on Halloween!! They went off to a Halloween party last night and they were both a big hit!! Love that!!

Are you ready for Halloween? Did you make a costume? What did you make if you did?

Have a Happy Halloween!!

Word Day....

2011-10-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

Photo via Pinterest

Working on Halloween costumes....be back soon....
Have a Great Day....

Tick Tock...You Don't Stop.....

2011-10-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

I'm working on things for a couple of upcoming craft shows and I will also be heading out of town soon too...so I'll be in and out for a little bit....but mostly out maybe....

My Girls want me to make their costumes this year as well...A Toadstool, complete with Gnome and one wants to be an modern Fish..Adorable..but Wow..am I'm feeling a little overwhelmed...I hope I can get it all together....we still don't even have all the inside decorations up...

They {The Girls} did manage to put the dogs in their Halloween costumes and I just love this picture of THOR in his "Bad Dog" costume which matches his personality perfectly!!

Other Stuff in my World:

My "Smart Phone" decided to go swimming with me....it floated to the bottom in slow motion as if to say....hey look I can swim too...I don't think its very smart anymore. All my pictures were lost and the camera no longer works but I am thankful it is still working at this time...I have no upgrades available for 583 days!! ooops!!

We went and saw Footloose.....loved it...I did cry this time, unlike the first movie, only because the Kid had lost his Mother and this time I could kinda relate.

Heading into the City tomorrow to do the Ferry Building Farmers Market and visit with my God Parents who are in town from Michigan.

I have over 50lbs of candy in my office for some Sweetie Sticks I'm going to be making and every time I walk into my office I am greeted by the sweet smell of lemons, cherries, strawberries....its a good thing none of the bags are opened yet....Okay...I opened the Carmel squares but they don't really have a smell because they are individually wrapped! {and I haven't really eaten That many!!}

Tonight is my first Water Aerobics class....hope its fun!!

I'm off...much to do...Hope you're doing great!
xoxo

Wednesday Words....Late....

2011-10-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

Wow...did time get away from me!! I didn't manage to even do Wednesdays Words....ugh....

Photo via Pinterest

I will have the minis/journals in the shop sometime before the end of this weekend!! I am still packaging some of them up!!
xo,

Mini Art Journal Fun!!!

2011-10-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

A while ago, I bought my Girls the Smash Journals from K & Company {Okay, yes...one for myself too!}. I love the idea of it but soon realized that its just too big for me to lug around. The Girls like them but don't take them with them for the same reason and because they are too big for their already over laden backpacks. After seeing some of Amy Tangerine's albums I thought I would make something similar that I could shove in my purse and the Girls could tuck in their backpacks! This is what I came up with....

So Fun! Seriously. I sewed all these fun pages in there...like vintage atlas pages and vintage sheet music. Plastic overlays, a card stock card, graph paper, ledger paper, regular paper. An envelope and more. Ends up to be 40 pages to put pictures on,decorate, stick stuff too and of course write on!! Here is a peek inside....

I made lots of them. I'm doing some craft fairs this coming Holiday season and need to start getting prepared...They are packaged up with some Happy Little Bits to use for the cover and inside the mini journal...This is what the pink bits look like...I thought this would be so perfect for Breast Cancer awareness...

I didn't just make pink embellishments....I made the rainbow of colors...Whats your favorite color? I probably made one in that color too! Inside is fun foreign stamps, cork board tags, glittered clothespin, felt circle, paint chips and more!! So Fun!! I'll be putting some of these in my etsy shop tomorrow...fun part is you can pick what color you want your embellishments to be!!!

So, I've been busy, busy! What are you doing? The weather here has finally turned into fall....with rain and all! I kinda love it!! I love sweat pants and sweaters, rain boots and warm crock pot food!!
Hope your having a great week!! Thanks for stopping by!!!
Hugs,

Spooky Pillow Boxes!!!

2011-09-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

Edited to add: I put a Kit to make these in my etsy shop!

Hello!!! Happy Tuesday!!! How is the start of your week going? Busy as always around here...and still feeling like I never get anything done.

Just a quick post today...wondering if you ever package up gifts in pillow boxes? You can make them or buy them in all different sizes and they decorate so easy and fun! I love them!!! I decided to make some for Halloween treats and stuffed them full of sweet candy {that I wanted to eat the whole time!!}

Using my hand dyed ribbon and some bling these little pillow boxes really came alive...love them...and they would make perfect classroom treats or party favors too, dontcha think??!!

Its so hard for me to be thinking about Halloween and Thanksgiving and the Holiday season when the temperature around here is still in the high 80s and 90s and I'm sweating in my house!! I like fall...I like the seasons....I love snow....its crazy that I still need to hit the pool to cool off!!!!

Okay....I'm going back to work...I am going to do a few craft fairs this season and I need to really start working on some projects so my table isn't empty!!
Hugs,

That Time Again......

2011-09-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

Wow, this week has just flown by. I haven't really been creative. Just busy and lazy, I guess. I haven't cleaned enough either. I need a house cleaner. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Someone to come in and clean...really clean...not just straighten up but deep clean the mess?! ahhhhhhh, would be so nice!!

Its also been a long time since I've talked about Childhood Cancer...in fact, its been a year, this month. September. National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I don't talk about it often anymore but every time I look at Kolten I am reminded and therefore, never forget. Each September, I will talk about it and I will share because everyone, everyone can help in some way or another.

The facts about childhood cancer are just plain scary. Cancer is the #1 reason for disease related deaths of children. Over 12,000+ Children will be diagnosed this year and for the past 25 years that number just keeps rising. One forth of those children, 2300+ children, will not survive.

Childhood Cancer affects the entire family, forever changing everyone. I always say, our Family was one of the "lucky" families. Kolten survived and is a thriving young Man with a bright future ahead of him. His memory of the years in treatment are cloudy and that is probably a good thing. Sometimes, I'd like to forget too but then I remember, if I forget....you could too and what we need, is to be more aware and to help those families going through it and ultimately, we need to find a way to prevent it!!

You can help. You can. You can volunteer your time, your money, your stuff...it doesn't have to be huge. It doesn't. Imagine if 1 million people donated just $1...a dollar isn't huge but $1,000,000 is!! Know a Family who is going thru it? Offer to babysit, which can be scary but the parents need a break! Clean, cook or run errands for them. Have a skill? Volunteer it....call your local children's hospital and ask what they need and how you can get involved. Like to exercise? Run a Marathon that supports Childhood Cancer! Have a blog? Post awareness and ways your readers can help! Something simple can have a huge impact!!

Here are a few great links for you to learn more about Childhood Cancer and to find out how you can help! When you get to each site, you can look up Events in your area!!
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
CureSearch
National Children's Cancer Society
Make a Wish Foundation
Okizu Foundation {A Foundation close to my heart!}
There are a lot more places where you can help, too many to even list. Go in your own community and find places local to you that help and be a part of it!!

I know this was a long post!! Thanks for taking the time to read it!! I will be back later this week with something crafty!

Hugs,

Mid-Week Thoughts!

2011-09-14T07:44:00.001-07:00

This weeks Words on Wednesdays...so true....

Hope you are having a good week!
xoxo,

Dreadfully Delightful......

2011-09-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

Friday, Friday!!! {Did you just catch yourself singing that?!}

I've been working on some cute little paper bag pocket treats for Halloween!! Perfect for tasty gift giving!!

These are so fun to make...you feel like your creating a new little art piece with each one.

I used tiny paper bags. They are approximately 4.75" x 7". My friend, Mandi gave me lots of them to use! {Thank you, Mandi!} These are my favorite because they fit a gift card in the front pocket perfectly!! For Christmas I made dozens of them!! They look pretty awesome for Birthdays too!!

I love these spooky ones. I used regular Hershey bars as the main candy but you could use anything that you like. The bag of spiders came from Target last year and I hope they have some this year as they are the best...flat bottoms, perfect for gluing and realistic...Love them!!

Here they are all ready to go off to new homes! I wonder if I should put these on etsy? Maybe?!

My Daughter called this morning from school....she forgot her binder, could I please bring it...I told her I couldn't...I told her I had asked her a dozen times between last night and this morning if she had everything in her backpack and reminded her she said she did...everytime...I felt so bad and mean. I told her she would have to tell her Teacher that she had forgotten it. Her tiny voice quivered and she said Ok. I told her I loved her. I told her to have a good day. Her little tiny voice quivered again and I could tell she was trying so hard not to cry. We hung up and I practically cried myself!! Responsibility and Accountability...Right????? Right??? Its a good thing this is only the second week of school and we get to learn this lesson right off the bat....ugh....my poor little peanut!!

Hope you have a wonderfully, exciting weekend!!
xoxo,

This post linked to:

Hello There!!!

2011-09-07T15:12:00.000-07:00

Photo Source

I've been working on some Halloween treats but I think its time for a dip at the pool!! What exciting things are you doing today? Hope its Happy!!
xoxo

You are the Apple of my Eye......

2011-09-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

We are almost at the end of the first week of school and things have been going pretty smoothly!! YAY!!! I decided they needed another first week of school treat, so inside the Girls {and Honeys!} lunches today is this super sweet "Apple" treat!

After seeing pictures of them on the Pinterest, I was able to find the recipe on Gourmet Mom on the Go. I did change the leaves and used Air Heads candy instead of frosting for them. Using a small heart cookie cutter, I made two heart leafs per apple. I think they turned out pretty cute! I was surprised to find that the coloring was from Jello and not food coloring but after making them...and tasting them....Jello makes krispy treats quite deeee-lious!!!

Since no treat would be complete without cute packaging....I found the adorable and Free {Thank You!!} Apple of my Eye tag on Jam*n*Jilly! It was the perfect tag!!

Don't you think "Apple of my Eye"...is a funny saying?! According to the U.S. Apple Association...The "expression dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, when people conceived of the pupil of the eye to be, like the apple, a global object. The word itself comes from the Anglo-Saxon “aeppel”, which literally meant both “eye” and “apple.” In addition to providing the literal, vital sense of vision, the pupil was also regarded as the figurative "window" to the treasured secrets within each of us. Thus, the “apple of my eye” meant someone very beloved". Interesting, don't you think!!!

I'm going to "try" and spend some time cleaning my studio today so that I might be able to work in here...I feel the need to make happy things!!!!

Hope you have a Great day!!!!
xoxo,

This post is linked to:

Wonderful Wednesday Words....

2011-08-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

Hello!!!

Photo via: Pinterest

Hope you are having a good day!!!
x0x0x0,

Big Day Tomorrow!

2011-08-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

I guess its already today since its after midnight! I just finished these little cookie treats that I'm going to pop into the girls lunches tomorrow for their first day of school!! When I saw these printables on "it is what it is" blog..I knew I wanted to use them! {She also has a Smartie Pants printable that is adorable!!}

I didn't have time to bake fresh cookies...but Oreos were there for the rescue...I simply dipped them into baking chocolate and sprinkled them with red hearts and chunky red sugar. The hard part was waiting till they hardened! I have a few more things planned for the girls like some after school cupcakes...but right now...I'm so tired I'm having a hard time writing a complete sentence...so I'm totally going to bed....
Nite!

W O R D....

2011-08-24T18:53:00.000-07:00

Wednesday!! Words to live by!!

Source: Pinterest

The Kiddos go back to school in less than a week!! Woot, Woot! LOL...don't get me wrong...we've had a lot of fun this summer but I am ready to get back into some type of routine, which is so hard to do in the summer. This past couple of days have been filled with Dr's appointments, school registrations and shopping....not that fun....but I know I will have time in the studio soon and a routine that makes everybody happy!! The half finished project that has been sitting on my desk can be finished and dinner can be counted on at 6:30pm....it's Goooooooooooooooud!!!!

I've been looking up fun things to do for school lunches. I want to make their lunches interesting at least for the first week. They have Bento boxes and that's pretty fun in itself, but I'll need to fill 'em....have any good ideas????

Hopefully you are having a fabulous week!! xoxo

Sometime on Pinterest...you can't find an original source of a picture or quote...while I hate that....I usually just direct you to the place where I found it.

Back Home Again....

2011-08-21T11:33:00.000-07:00

I'm quite certain Lake Tahoe is one of my most favorite places on earth!! Every time we go there....I love it more...the air smells goods, the breeze is delightful, the water brisk...

I brought crafts to work on....but never once opened the bag...like the Smash Mouth song says..."too much to do, too much to see"....

We went to the beach. We ate everything. We rented Kayaks. We Gambled...and lost. We played in the arcade. We went to the pool and hung out in the spa. We mini golfed. We ate some more. We watched movies. We went to the arts and craft faire. We went to another Beach. We had a blast.....

Hard to believe in one short week...the Kids will be back in school and summer will be officially over!!
This week will be spent doing my most least favorite thing....school clothes shopping! Along with registration and getting ready for the new school year to start.....Then...I'll get back to my neglected studio...
Hope you've been doing something crafty and fun!!

Wednesday....Already????!!!

2011-08-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

I'm still playing hooky....this time here....one last summer fling before Middle School starts again....not all of us can go because some classes have already started, but still, fun is to be had {and of course that doesnt mean FUN as in a party at the house or anything, Right?!!}.....

It's hard to be crafty in the summer.....the weather is good. The sun is out....the pool is cool....and places like Tahoe are magical...I really will be back soon....after...I have some more fun!! Wednesday's Words....Perfect....

Have some Fun!!!

Home Again...Home Again....

2011-08-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Well...I'm back...seems like I was gone a long while and I'm glad to be home!! This trip did have a purpose....Burying my Mum and Dad in their final resting place and while that wasn't that fun and is highly unrecommended, I did really enjoyed seeing my Family even if I did have to take a little baby prop plane on the last leg of the trip to get there....

I stayed "Up Country" where fond lifelong memories have always been made....Its hard to have a bad day when you slip into the pool in the middle of the woods and lookout onto the water below.....

equally as hard to complain about nature making its way straight to you...fawns in tow....

Larry the Lobster was in rich supply....we had several nights of lobster feeds and I managed to eat 4+ this week!!! I'm sure I've gained a dozen or so pounds....

I had fun looking for Inuksuks....Kinda of like Where's Waldo in rock formation...I found this one on the side of the highway heading toward the ferry. They are very fun and their story is equally interesting.

Its always sad to say goodbye...to my Parents who have now been placed in their eternal home, to my Family who I never see enough of and to a place that I just love to visit.....but am thankful for the time I got with all of them and coming home is never a bad thing!!!

I was thinking about my trip and everything we did...and coming home to a Family I missed and adore and thought about what Wednesdays Words should be and the only thing I could think of was simply this....

Photo source : The Wheatfield

Have a Super Day!!! xoxo

Out of Town!

2011-08-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

On Holiday! Be Back Soon.....

Have Fun, eh!!!

Birthday Cake in a Jar!?!

2011-07-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

Okay so after trying to figure out how to send someone* a cupcake thru the mail...and looking at all the deliciousness of Strawberry Lemonade combinations all over the Internet...I finally decided to make a lemon cake and a strawberry cake and layer them in a jar instead and ship it off...who knows if it will make it...who knows if it will taste yummy when it gets there...its is the thought that counts...but right now...these treats are super tasty and cute...the combination of cakes and lemon frosting in between layers....is a good one!

Since I had enough cake left over....I decided to make HUGE cake balls just for fun...and I know they are not perfect but they sure tasted good and the Neighbor said they were WAY better than Starbucks' cake balls and that just has to mean something right?!! Thanks Nice Neighbor!!

So...if its your Birthday today {*My Sister}....Happy Birthday!!!

Have a Great Day!!!

Its Wednesday....Words...

2011-07-27T14:36:00.001-07:00

Photo Source

I hope you have a great day!!

Strawberry Lemon....Oh My....

2011-07-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

I'm trying...operative word..."trying" to make a Birthday card and cake for someone who is having a Birthday this week and I was thinking I would send her a cake in a jar....and since its summer I thought Strawberry Lemon stuff was a good idea...so I searched the Internet for the perfect recipe for a strawberry lemon cake and frosting...and I got totally sidetracked...by these...

Spiked Strawberry Lemonade...boy would I love one of those right now!! It didn't stop there...no...the Strawberry Lemon tease O'rama keep right on going...

How about these adorable Strawberry Lemonade Cake Balls?!

Did you happen to notice the pink striped paper straws in some of them??....adorable!!

At this point I thought I should just look at cupcake recipes only.....you know stay on track...but then I saw these which were almost to die for.....
Strawberry Lemon Bars...oh my...for real...

How about a Galette? A Strawberry Lemon Curd Galette!! Have you ever had a Galette???? I don't know if I have or not but I definitely want one now and it what makes it even better is that saying "Galette" is fun!!

So much more showed up....hundred and hundreds of delightful delectables each one so tasty looking....and I searched and searched and.....time flew by....and its too late to bake now!!
So, tomorrow.....I'll bake....Strawberry Lemon cupcakes....like I planned to do tonight before I got sidetracked!!!
xoxo

Some Words on Wednesday...

2011-07-20T12:03:00.001-07:00

Photo via Pinterest...
I really tried to find the sorce of this beautiful poster but I couldnt!

Enjoy your day!!!

Happy Monday....

2011-07-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Monday! Oh how I love a Monday morning....I like it when everyone has to get up and go...summer is so hard when my little babies stay up late watching a movie and then sleep until noon or beyond....teenagers....glorious little teenagers!!

This weekend I made a little art journal or mini photo album {as they are sometimes called} to highlight our little day trip to Monterey and the beach. {Its already been claimed by my youngest Daughter}. When I was done I saw all the extra papers and decided to go ahead and make some blank minis to put in the shop! I'll have 3 available!

Here are the fun and funky pages inside the book....lots of different textures...like felt pages, cork board pages and envelopes and tags...I even did a little sewing for you on 5 of the pages!!

I didn't stop there....I added lots and lots of embellishments, some handmade like a yummy yo-yo and glitter button flowers, punched butterflies...oohhhhh yea!! Its all in the cool colors of summer....Yellow, Teal and Orange!!!

I love how all the pages are different and while looking at one page you can see other pages peeking out...

Here is one page in my little album....a jelly fish page...I finally used the cool little printer the Kids got me for Mother's Day and I heard a resounding "It's about time" throughout the house....guess I should have used it earlier!!!

So....What do you think? It's my first time making minis for the shop...and they were so fun...I'm going to make some more...the next one is going to be PINK!!

If you have an extra second I would love for you to "Like" my HappyLittleArt page on Facebook.....just click HERE!

I hope your Monday is Great!! Thanks for visiting!!

Words on Wednesday!

2011-07-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

Photo via Pinterest

So True this is...so True.....

Flower Love....

2011-07-12T15:14:00.000-07:00

I never find it hard to fall in love with flowers....whether fresh or handmade, they bring a smile to me. They can uplift my mood and change my day....Recently I've needed a flower or two.....fresh ones for my kitchen table and handmade ones to brighten an outfit or two.

You may remember me making these flowers here...oh how I loved them.....but this time I needed something brighter and fresh...so I started making these...and couldn't stop...

So bright and fun....lots of layers...at least 10 and with adorable felt leaves...they become so many things...hair clips...pins...clothing accessories...I think I'm going to put one on my bag...Love...Flower Love...I hope to have them in my shop by the end of the week.

I was invited to do a vendor fair this weekend...I would bring these flowers...but I just don't have enough other inventory to go....if I had been more busy around here...working, working, working...I would have...I have some excellent ideas for this particular fair...hopefully they will ask me back next year!!

What have you been doing this summer? Have you been busy?

Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers.....

Wednesday's Words!!!

2011-07-06T11:36:00.001-07:00

Photo via my Pinterest

I love this....we should all start our mornings like it...lets start tomorrow!!!

I've been cleaning my studio!! It feels so good!! Funny what a pair of new curtains can do to a room....its so much brighter in here than with the old curtains....I hung my banner up too....its starting to feel good and light and cheery in here again instead of its overrun, over crowded mess it had become!! Pretty fun!! My Girlfriend has been loving coming over and going through the bags I have been making for giving. I'm quite certain if I stacked my paper on top of itself it would reach over 6 foot tall...I've accumulated A Lot of stuff!! All good, happy stuff...but just too much of it.

I think I'll gather some things for a little giveaway too!! You'd like a little giveaway, wouldn't you??? I'll work on that!!

Hope your having a great summer so far with exciting things to do!!
Cheers,

Happy 4th of July!!!!

2011-07-04T15:35:00.000-07:00

Photo via Pinterest

Hope your day sparkles!!!!

Word Wednesday....

2011-06-29T16:20:00.001-07:00

Photo via Pinterest

Wonderful Words today!!!
Cheers!

Little Care Packages!!

2011-06-28T13:06:00.001-07:00

So my Girls are off at church camp and today I am sending them these little boxes filled with wrapped up little treats....

Inside..all their favorites, wrapped up like little presents....oreos, gummi bears, worms and sharks, some goldfish, cheese and crackers and some other goodies...and of course a little note....I can't wait to see them and hear about their adventures!! I hope they love their boxes!!
Did you ever go away for a sleepover camp? I did one time, during the school year to Eco Week in Colorado. After a long bus ride, we arrived at camp and I thought I had landed in heaven. It was beautiful. I was bunked up with friends and we had so much fun that we ended up having to clean the bathrooms for being too loud during the night, well that and the fact that we tried to climb out the window and the counselors just happened to be right below the window....oops!!
Its raining here...pouring really and the the thunder that just started actually startled me......
Im off to the Post office....hope you're having fun!!

A Colorful Bunting!

2011-06-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

I've been sewing this weekend...I finally felt good enough to go into my studio {this cough/cold thingy is really kicking me down, I tell ya!!}....I ordered new curtains...white polka dot ones but my window needed some color...and so I made a bunting to fit above my window area...

Funky photos I know....I used the Lomoish setting for a retro look...just playing around...having a little photo fun!!
What did you do this weekend? My little Girlys are off to church camp for the whole week! I don't even know what I'm going to do without the two of them home!! I've always had at least one of them home so this is going to be new for me....I'm going to prepare goodie boxes tomorrow to ship to them!! I hope they have fun!
xoxo

Yo...Word.....

2011-06-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

Photo via Pinterest

Hard to believe its Wednesday already!!!! I'm super sick and have the energy of a snail..The temps have been in the 100s and we don't have AC! My Honey is Older. We've been married for 15 years now! Got new windshields on the cars and a new washer and dryer...getting caught up on laundry now, the fun around here is almost over the top!! Can you feel it????!! =:0)
Hope your week is going awesome!

WIP

2011-06-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

WIP = Work in Progress...that's what this is....a WIP. A sneak peek. A long time ago I spotted this tutorial on how to make clothespin dolls and saved it so I could make some of my own. {Caution: These dolls are not yet fully clothed!}

So I've been painting and trying to work on some clothes for them...which is seemingly harder than it should be! They are so fun and I can't wait till they are all dressed and I can show you them!!

Here is my Daughter's WIP...she says this little blonde doll looks just like her and I'd have to agree!! She is working on a Red, White and Blue doll for the forth of July...

She {My youngest!} is so funny....everytime I come into the studio....she has moved the little clothespins into different positions....sometimes in a circle, sometimes as little couples, sometimes they look like they are dancing...its very funny to come in and see them doing something different each time...

I'm currently sick...some kind of summer cold thing...not sure I understand why...it could be because the weather here is funky....one day its in the 90s and I'm sweating and hot and the next day its in the 60s and I'm on the couch with a blanket on! I think my body just doesn't know what the heck to do...unless of course I suddenly have allergies and that would be no fun!

Well that's what I'm working on....in between the pool and Six Flags and movies and the crazy schedule of teenagers and almost teenagers!!! What exciting things have you been getting yourself in?

Wednesday's Words.....a little late...

2011-06-16T09:19:00.001-07:00

Photo via Pinterest

{I love when I forget something....and then remember after midnight...}

Working on some fun things....Have been painting cool stuff for the last couple of days...Can't wait to show you!
Have a Great Day...

Summer is Here!!!!!

2011-06-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! Summer is finally here! This is the first time in a L O N G time the weather has been in the mid-seventies and I'm liking it!! I'm sure I will be complaining when its 105 degrees here, hard to breathe and sticky but mid seventies to mid eighties...I'll take any day!!

My summer postings will be sporadic as always....stopping in a few times here and there but nothing specific on the agenda! I will be working on some things to make and give using fabric scraps since I have boxes of beautiful scraps that I want to start downsizing and I have thought of 32 things so far that one could make and give using scraps!!! Woohooo... so I may or may not end up in my studio {it is the one room in the house that has an air-conditioner in it...so I can keep nice and cool in here!!} I like to keep the summer open for who knows what adventures come our way!

I wanted to share my Birthday gift from my older Kids {yes, I turned older!}......I've been wanting a chandelier for a really long time and my Kids got me this one!!! Its so awesome!! Its Beautiful, colorful and funky fun!! {Love} I also got some mushroom salt and pepper shakers that I thought I'd share!! {adorable}

Well...I'm off...time to go work out in the pool...tomorrow...its Washer and Dryer shopping day....hoping I can get a good deal on them because they definitely were NOT in the budget but both of them have worked hard and apparently have come together and decided to both not work right at the same time...grrrrrr...
Hope the start of summer is going your way!!
Have fun!!!

Word Up!

2011-06-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

Photo via Pinterest

Whats been happening??? I am still making candy leis'...I have 20 to go and then I am caught up...kind of happy about that...I think I've gained 5lbs since I started playing with all the candy!!!
The sun finally started peeping out and I was able to go to the pool yesterday...when you don't work out for a week because of the weather...its not that good.
Hard to believe, School is officially over for the summer tomorrow and I will no longer have a child in Elementary school!!! I can't believe they are all "Big" Kids now! Let the fun begin!!!
Hope things are going your way and you have a Great Day!!!

Big blossoms.....

2011-06-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

I've been working on fabric blossoms for the candy leis' and they look so pretty just piled up on each other I thought I would share a peak of some of them...

I still have about 25 more to go before I can start of the actual candy lei part and can't wait to see all of them made!! I think I need a little thimble....two of my fingers are sore from working with the needle!!!
Hope you're doing something fabulous! Have a great Day!!

Wednesday's Words.....

2011-06-01T10:45:00.001-07:00

{I can't remember where I found this picture...maybe Pinterest? Sorry}

Working on Big Blossoms today and wondering when the rain will stop and the sun will come out to play...it is June already!!!
Hope you had a wonderful long weekend! My Sister flew in and I was busy playing...now...I'm going back to work!!
Have a wonderful day!!

Hawaiian Raaaaainbows.....

2011-05-26T12:59:00.001-07:00

Okay...I've been working this morning!! I know...can you believe it?! Really, I did! I made a few of the candy leis' for the end of school, which are now officially called Big Blossom Candy Leis'! They turned out toooooooo cute and are so fun!!! I think all the Girls classmates will love these!!

I didn't use curling ribbon as most suggest because its just not my favorite item, instead I used colorful ribbon. Many people also use Saran Wrap but I used cellophane to wrap the candy and there is a lot of candy in these....but my favorite part is the Big yo-yo blossom! This thing is HUGE and happy and when the candy is gone....it can be used again!! Maybe to make a hair band or a brooch or on a scrapbook page...{Love!} Who knows what the Kids will come up with!!

I grabbed the oldest before he ran out the door today....so helpful to have a handsome, willing participant {even if he does need a shave...ahem!}...here he is striking a pose for me, wearing one....

I'm happy they turned out as I envisioned....its always good when I don't have to scrap a project after I've purchased all the supplies!! Have you ever done that?? Not fun!

The Girls are off school again for Memorial Day but they also have two forced furlough days too, so it's another 5 day weekend!! I'm excited about it...my Sister is flying in for the long weekend...a belated Birthday present to me and it should be a super fun time...so I'll see ya next week!! Oh and in case your intrested in purchasing your own Big Blossom Candy Lei....I put some in my esty store!
Have a great weekend!!!
Hugs,

This post linked to:
WhipperBerry
Katie's Nesting Spot
Creation Corner
Fingerprints on the Fridge
Simply Sweet Home

Words.....

2011-05-25T23:10:00.001-07:00

I bought all the supplies for candy leis.... and I'm gonna work on one tomorrow to see if its all that I envisioned....hopefully I'll be able to show ya one tomorrow!!
Have a great night!!

Happy Sunny Monday!!

2011-05-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

Well...my dear Daughter made it home safe from 5th Grade Camp!! She had an incredibly fun time and came home with no bumps or bruises or tick bites to speak of! I was very happy that the Teachers took such good care of them and that they took pictures and uploaded them each night so we could see what they were doing! {Love that!!} I decided to send in a little "Thank You" to the Teachers that went.

Since I haven't figured out how to make my own graphic labels, I always search around the Internet for some...They are usually inexpensive and quite cute! During my search I came across Lauren McKinsey's Design blog....she makes some adorable printables and these were on her blog for free for Teacher Appreciation Week! I Love Free!! I downloaded them and decided I would use these...they were perfect!!

Using some Prima Flower bottles I had been saving....I spray painted the lids red and started sticking the labels onto the Hershey Kisses....added the bow and tags and thought it needed something else...so I put a pencil under the bow and viola...adorable....just like my Daughter....here she is at camp...playing in the tide pools...getting ready to pick up a crab!!!

If you have a min. I would love for you to "Like" my Facebook page...Just click HERE!
The end of the school year is already here! I am thinking of making some candy lei's for the last day of school...so am I on the search for things to make them with....
Hope your week is wonderful!!

Wednesday's Words.....on Thursday!

2011-05-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Its perfect...

Photo via Pinterest

The wedding we went to on Sat. was beautiful....and I so wanted to show you all the little touches they had everywhere.....like the candy bar and photo booth....and as I pulled out my camera to capture everything....I realized I had no card in it and couldnt...whhhhaaaaaa....I was pretty bummed out about that....but managed to enjoy the evening anyway!!!

Today....I'm going to craft a bit without worrying about the mess that is my house and my Daughter wants me to pick her up after school and go see Bridesmaids with her since her Sister has been at camp all week having a blast. Seems only fair!! =;O)

Have a great day!

Packages, Boxes or Bags!!!

2011-05-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

Heading to a Wedding in a couple of hours but thought I'd share the packaging I did on our gift...I used the colors of their wedding and even popped off the monogram from the invitation to add some more personalization.....not very traditional but then again...I'm not so sure, I am either!?!

Been a busy, busy week....working on a custom order, trying to work on a shop update, soccer...practice and games, swimming, softball games and my little Daughter is heading away to camp, next week...for the whole WEEK! Ahhhhh! Life is sometimes crazy busy!
Hope you're having a great Weekend!!

Word.

2011-05-11T09:15:00.001-07:00

Wednesday Already!!!!

Photo via tumblr

Mother's Day....completely emotional. I thought at first, I would be able to control my emotions thruout the day. 4 months have gone by. As it turns out...not so much. It was bittersweet. There were tears, laughter and love, all day. My Kids were awesome. The day was wonderful and I'm glad it has passed.

Working on some things for an etsy shop update. Need to make another Teacher Appreciation gift and must find an outfit and a gift for a wedding.

Hope you are doing something exciting!!

Teacher Appreciation!

2011-05-05T15:25:00.001-07:00

Wow! How could I have forgotten this was the week? Easy, really...our school is not celebrating it this week?!? What? Not celebrating Teacher Appreciation?....Well, not this week. Due to the budget, our school has a furlough day tomorrow so they've decided to celebrate it next week, when school is all week long!

However, when I opened my pinterest today and saw this easy and adorable teacher gift from Lisa Storms blog {which by the way is absolutely awesome!}....I just had to make it for my Daughter to give to her Teacher....today, this week, Teacher Appreciation Week!{I know, such a rebel!}

I went to Joanns' and bought a couple of the reusable cups. They were $5.99. I stopped off at Safeway and bought the Sugar Free, Ocean Spray on the Gos {only because the packets are pink!} When I got home I downloaded the little tags from Lisa's blog that she has shared {for free, Thank you!} and wrapped a little scrapbook paper around several of the drink packets. I added a sweet little bow to each one for fun and popped in a Starbucks gift card with a little note!! Easy, inexpensive and super cute!! LoVe this!!!

Did you do anything for Teacher Appreciation Week? I'd love to check it out!

Since tomorrow is a furlough day I think I'm going to take the Girls to the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers as tomorrow is National Public Gardens Day and many gardens are participating in a free day....print out your vouchers and go....if you're interested you can see if there is a garden near you by going here...Better Homes and Garden! Fun!!

It's in the 90's today...time to head to the pool!
Have fun!!

Wednesday's Words.....

2011-05-04T11:19:00.000-07:00

Freak Flag:
A characteristic, mannerism, or appearance of a person, either subtle or overt, which implies unique, eccentric, creative, adventurous or unconventional thinking.

I Love this.......

Photo via Pinterest

Probably because I carry my own little freak flag! Do you?

Let your freak flag fly....

Restoring!!

2011-05-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

What a good week last week was!! Spring Break is a good thing!! We watched movies and ate too much. We took a day trip to Six Flags Discovery and played around, riding rides and watching shows. Volunteered at a local shelter to help serve dinner and cleaned up afterwards. Went shopping, which is always a crowd pleaser!! Drove down the coast to Monterey, which was my favorite! We went to the aquarium and then spent time at the beach....I think my favorite place is the beach....I could sit at the beach watching the waves come in for hours...

With all that goodness, fun and sparkly stuff going on....a little reality must get thrown into the mix, just so I realize and remember how all that sparkle stuff is so awesome....My Daughter got bit by a tick and that is seriously not happy! They put her on some strong antibiotics hoping to kill any Lyme disease that can occur....horrible!! and I think I may have walking pneumonia and haven't been sleeping much {the cough syrup the Dr. gives you to help sleep...not working!}....its been a good thing I feel better when I'm up and about rather than lying down!!

I also had a little time to work on my online Soul Restoration class I'm taking from Brave Girls. I love this class. Behind as usual but loving it anyway. Thought I'd show you a few peeks of my progress....

This little book is just for me...and I like it! I've never made myself anything before. Nor have I done a lot of collage art before so it's been a new experience.
The assignments each week are uplifting and self motivating and the art work just makes you feel better!! As part of the class, I've started my art journal as well! Learning new things about myself, accepting things and moving past and onward.....

My Daughter has been coming into my office to see what I'm doing and will then go work in her art journal!! Very Fun!! I love that!! Last night she asked me to do a journal prompt for her....so I wrote in her journal, on the page she picked, {of course}....I wrote..."What are some of my Best Attributes?" and numbered 1-15....as I gave it back to her she said she couldn't think of 15 things!! I said yes you can...and 30 mins later she came and showed me her page...it was beautifully decorated, all written in different colored markers with swirls and doodles...and there on her page were 15 wonderful things about her....{LoVe} She will definitely be a Brave Girl too!!!

I hope your doing something fun for yourself as well. I often forget its important to take time out just for fun! Just for yourself. Just for your Family. Without working too hard or cleaning too much or worrying about it all {I do that last one a lot, the other two....well I just worry about how I didn't do those!}. It can be super refreshing and good for your soul. I'm glad to have had a week off to relax, have some fun and not worry about what I "should" be doing. I'll get back to that this week! =;0)
Hope last week was good to you! Hard to believe its now May!!! Wow this year is flying by!!!!!
I'm off to clean...really, I have to...its so sad... but some sheets need folding and counters need bleaching....Hope your day sparkles....

Spring Break!!

2011-04-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

We are on Spring Break this week!!! I'm sleeping in late, watching movies till all hours of the night and day, staying in my pajamas till whenever, hitting the pool, eating whatever and taking a day road trip or two!!

I'll be back next week!!
Have Fun!!!

Happy Easter!!!

2011-04-23T22:43:00.000-07:00

Just hopping in to wish you and yours...
A Very Happy Easter!

Hope its filled with love, happiness, family and chocolate!!
Hugs,

Photo: Martha Stewart

Wednesday's Words.....

2011-04-20T08:45:00.001-07:00

An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life…

He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil—he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego.

The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”

They thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win, Grandfather?”

The Elder simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Have a Great Day!!!

Where I found it: A Heavy Heart to Carry

The Candy Aisle...

2011-04-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

Walking down the Easter candy aisles at the store you can get a sugar rush just from the smell!! Oh my...I do love candy and I can admit it....all that sugary goodness wrapped in pretty pastel colors, its hard to control myself!! I did though....I bought some M&M Minis in colorful tubes...and I don't like regular M&Ms...I'm a peanut M&M kinda gal...then I turned them into these...and I didn't even want to eat them all up!

Easy and cute...my favorite kinda project! Here's how:
I wrapped the tubes in scrapbook paper that I had cut into 6x6 squares. I trimmed out the top and bottom of the paper using paper edgers and attached to the tube using double sided tape. Stamped Easter Wishes onto card stock and punched out. Then glittered the small clothespins...wrapped the ribbon around tube and made a bow...attached clothespin and tag and hot glued the little Chickie to the center!!
Happy Little Treat!!!

I also got some Peeps.....they are a little harder for me to stay away from...I'll show ya those later....if they make it till the morning!

This post is linked to these fabulous parties:
Get Your Craft On Tuesday
All Thingz Related
The Blackberry Vine
Tip Junkie

Fruity Cuties!!!

2011-04-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

I am always looking for cute little treats to give out and since spring and Easter are just around the corner....it only made sense to make eggs and flowers! Here was the chance for Fruity Pebbles to show off its yum and win the debate that they were better than the Lucky Charm treats we made for St. Patricks day.

We started by making the treats:
1 Whole box of Fruity Pebbles
4 Tbsp Butter
We used 1 bag mini marshmallows and 1/2 bag of large marshmallows {because that's what we had on hand! You can use less or more if you want to!}

Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until they are melted. Remove mixture from the heat and add the box of Fruity Pebbles. Stir until well coated. Press the mixture evenly into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. We waited until they cooled and then used a large flower shaped cookie cutter. We then dipped the bottoms in melted almond bark and waited for them to harden. After that...it was decorate as you'd like. We outlined the flowers with candy melts.

After making these we realized a few things....
1. They are cute all packaged up!!
2. They are super easy to make for sure and make a fun treat!!
3. These are Way too big to be eaten by one person, better to share with someone sweet if your going to use a large cookie cutter, otherwise, make small flowers!! {I bet bite sized flowers would be adorable!!!}
4. The eggs did not look cute. Nope, just didn't like 'em.
5. We wont be trying Fruit Loops' Treats. Ever.
and last but not least......
6. Fruity Pebbles has Nothing on Lucky Charms....

Now I'm off to make some chocolate covered pretzels. I have a Girlfriend and her Family coming to stay for the weekend and those are some of her favorite treats!! I think I'll make them all spring colors!!
Have a Happy Thursday!!

Wednesday's Words.....

2011-04-13T08:59:00.001-07:00

Happy Wednesday!! We've been so super busy around here....from Soccer to swimming, to church play practices and everything in between including trying to get an etsy shop update {yay!}....its been a little hectic!! How are you doing????

Wednesday will be officially {or maybe I mean Unofficially?!} known as "Word" day around here...as in Whats the Word? Have you heard the Word? and my favorite...Word Up! I will be sharing my most favorite posters, quotes, inspirational love letters and other things that generally make me happy!!

Starting now!...

The Holstee Manifesto

Have a Fabulous Day!!!

Blank Canvas.....

2011-04-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Art Teacher;

No, my canvas is not empty, I was painting with all the colors of the wind.

Sincerely, Pocahontas*

Do you ever have a week where it feels like you've haven't accomplished anything? You've been super busy though?! That's how I've been feeling. While I couldn't finish a project this week if my life had depended on it...a lot got done....just not a lot of crafty stuff. I did made these...okay...last week....

In my never ending need and desire to be more "Green" and to be more efficient and organized {will I EVER get there??????} I made these beautiful posies using scrap paper scraps and my vintage dictionary embellishments that I have in my etsy store...they make me happy.

They are fun to make too....here's how:
Simply punch out various sizes of scrapbook paper, distress the edges of each circle. Paint glue on various places on the edges of each circle and generously pour glitter over glue. Once dry, put some glue in the centers and stack circles on top of each other. Top with my little vintage dictionary embellishments or whatever you have on hand for a fun center! Easy, cute embellishment that works with your scrap paper scraps!! {Love} Have fun making them and just in case you don't want to make any but would like some....I'll put a couple sets in my shop soon!!

So, next week will be more productive....next week wont be a blank canvas...next week I need to get some Easter Treats ready!!! I can't wait!!

After tomorrows' soccer game {providing it doesn't rain or hail again!} my weekend is pretty quiet and I'm so looking forward to that! I do hope to rent some movies and eat some buttery popcorn...My Girls and I got Art Journals this week so there may be some painting going on....What are your plans????

Have a great weekend,

*P.S. I read that on the Dear Blank website. Made me laugh for sure!! Some of them are completely hysterical and others...well, not so much {Really, not at all funny!}. So read it at your own risk and don't blame me if you are offended by some of them, I didn't make them up...not one of them! {Just Saying!}

Hello Butterfly!!

2011-04-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

I always feel like the cards I send in the mail need to be hand made....even when I don't feel like or have the time to make them. It often makes me send out cards and gifts later than I should because I need to make the card. Remember that Dunkin Donuts ad, with the man that gets up at like 3 or 4 in the morning and stumbles around saying....time to make the donuts...lol...thats how I feel sometimes with my card making...so...I decided to make a card anytime I was crafting around....and start a stash of them so when I need one, I don't feel like the Dunkin Donuts man! Oh and don't get me wrong...I love making cards and the warm fuzzy you get from sending them...I also...love Dunkin Donuts {and it's a real good thing we don't have any around here!}
Here is the first one for my stash.....

I made it for the feature over at P K Glitz. Gotta love glitter!! You can see the supplies I used for it over there.
I'm off to go shopping...I need an art journal and some other fun items....
Hope you are having a terrific day!!

That's How I "Roll"!!!

2011-04-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post...I'm being silly today...making my Kiddos an afterschool snack...Sushi anyone???? Makes me laugh...

I used banana flavored twinkies...covered in vanilla frosting. Added a Swedish Fish and tied them up with a fruit roll up. The soy sauce is maple syrup...these should get a laugh from them!! What silly things are you getting into to?
Have a Happy April Fool's Day!!!

Lil' Chocolate Bunnies!

2011-03-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Thursday!! You know what that means!!?! Tomorrow...is Friday!! Wooohooo! I have been on a new schedule adding in Hip Hop classes and Soccer and possibly swim team, all starting this past week for the Girls! They have something everyday but Friday!!! Why is it always so hard adjusting to new schedules? Crazy I tell you!!!

I have been busy in the craft shack as well... P K Glitz asked me if they could feature me on their blog and I said...Yes, Please!! That meant making some crafty goodness with some of their yummy glitter...{Okay!} Since Easter is coming I needed to start on some treats....

Bunny Love!! I used a couple of PTI stamps to make the tags and after coloring with Copics, I glittered around the tag as well as the bunnies adorable little heart tails! These make such a fun little treat! Who doesn't love a chocolate bunny?? YUM!!!

I have a request in for cereal/marshmallow treats for Easter. So I'll be making some of those soon. I made Lucky Charm treats for St. Patricks day and honestly, I just don't think anything can top those! Have you ever made them with Lucky Charms? I'm not kidding...they are the best treats, Ever!!! I was having trouble not eating them all! Seriously....so I'm not sure I can top those!

If you want to take a peek at what else I made this week, you can hop over to the P K Glitz blog and read the feature! Too Fun!!

Thanks for stopping by today! I love that you did!

A Ray of Sunshine....

2011-03-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

....is peeking thru my window. Its been raining here....everyday. Its cold and dreary and I haven't crafted very much...I come in here and pretend I'm going to create something really great and than its too dark and cold and well...a movie and snuggle time seem so much better...

I've been thinking about re-painting my office, looking at paint chips to decide a pretty color {I'm inclined to paint teal!}....I couldn't throw away the paint strips which did not make the cut....so I started making some fun tags out of them....when they are finished I will show you...but here's a sneek peek...

What are your plans for this weekend? Top of my list is to clean my office which has seriously been neglected this week and I rented Skyline, The Tourist and How Do you Know? for some rain cocooning. Off to make some homemade chili for tonight. Warms on the inside and out!!
Hope its sunny where you are!
Have a great weekend!

A Blessing and A Little Help, Please...

2011-03-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

It's hard to do a post with something so light and fun as St. Patricks Day and something so tragic as the tsunami in Japan but today, is the day for both.

I didn't make any little treats to send in with the Kids today, they didn't seem to mind though and the little crazy leprechaun stopped by sometime in the night and left fun clothes to wear,{so no pinches today!}. He turned the milk green too and left a box of Lucky Charms and marshmallows to make some after school treats with. I'm making the traditional corned beef and cabbage but this year I'm also adding in some yummy Irish beef hand pies...Yum!!!! What are you doing? The traditional dinner? Pub Crawling...looking for that elusive green beer? Searching for Unicorns? Anything?

When we sit down to eat our traditional St.Patricks Day fare, we will remember how blessed and lucky we truly are. We will also say a prayer for the people affected by the tsunami in Japan.

Since my heart goes out to all those affected by this horrible tsunami, tomorrow, I will join many other bloggers in...Bloggers Day of Silence...The aim: to raise awareness and acknowledgement of the devastation going on in Japan. If you have a blog....consider joining in. You can also help by donating. You can donate here or choose any other relief organization aimed at helping those who are in need right now. I've said it before when it comes to donating...any little bit helps...donating doesn't have to hurt you....give what you can, what you are comfortable with....be it your time, money, energy....or in this case, even your silence. For more information...you can click here.

If you got thru this long post and can help in anyway...Yay and Thanks!!!

I'm off now...to the store to pick up some stuff for tonight....I hope you have some green on!!

and until next time...

May you have all the happiness...
and luck that life can hold...
and at the end of all your rainbows...
may you find a pot of gold!!

Have a Lucky kind of day!!

Hearts and Butterflies....

2011-03-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

Oh paper scraps, you've turned into something so much better than you were before.....

I haven't crafted much lately....cleaning a bit. Laundry. Bills. Trying to get more organized is a lot harder than I thought it would ever be. I think I'm a slight hoarder. Not the kind that needs an intervention and a camera crew, kinda hoarder, but never the less, the kind that needs to stop "needing" so many craft supplies....my office is over-run, bursting with fabulous touchables and bags of happy goodness just waiting patiently to get used in the next perfect project that I just "have" to try. I'm determined to find my follow-thru. Determined to have a studio and a home that screams "Create" and not "cleanup" and so some things will turn into other things....
like a beautiful Caterpillar....

In an effort to organize, reduce, recycle and reuse...my little Hannah and I punched and punched and punched out little hearts, butterflies and circles this weekend...all from a humongous bag of scrapbook paper scraps. Scraps I save from every project ever made. Overflowing. Overtaking. Its was quite the mess but now it is much less. Just looking at this huge pile of butterflies makes me feel happy. Beautiful little butterflies. I've already used a few of them on sweet packaging for my etsy store ...

The bag of scraps is much smaller and can close now, a small feat in itself!! I'm thinking this is a perfect way to just use small scraps. If I punch them out right away...I'll always have some pretty butterflies to work with and I can throw away the punched out little scrap!!

Do you save all your scraps??? How do you store them?? What do you do with them?? Lets talk about scrap paper organization, share your great ideas!!

Pom Pom {Love}

2011-03-08T09:25:00.000-08:00

I don't know what it is about pom poms that I love so much but I do...they are so fun to make....even the Kids have been making some...adorable little pom poms bracelets...So sweet!!! I'm working on some garlands...pom pom garlands of love....{giggle}.

Besides making the pom poms, I haven't crafted much. It was a busy week though. To Do lists really do help!! Honey and I took the Girls to a Japanese "Dollar" store near the City this weekend. I was in Bento heaven there!! I bought a bunch of super cute things to make the Girls lunches happy, happy, happy. Today, Hannah's lunch had a boiled egg molded into the shape of a heart in it!!! I'm thinking you can't be having a bad day when you open your lunch box and there is a egg in the shape of a heart in there!!!! Along with the Bento items, I also found some adorable crafting things, pretty masking tape...the package says "Let's enjoy decorating!" Okay I say!!! Button makers and more. We also bought a couple of bags of candy called Hi-Chew. Have you ever tried it? Oh my goodness, they are delish!!! I think it might be my new favorite candy!!!! I also found a little garbage can with colorful mushrooms on it!! It had to come home with me! The Girls picked out some little bags and hair accessories, along with re-usable lunch bags...loved it in there!! A lot of fun! When the Bento supplies are down we will definitely be going back there!!!
Honey played hookie from work yesterday and we lounged around all day, watching movies, a nice way for us to start the week!!
Hopefully, I'll be more productive this week....what are your big plans???
As my Brother would say.....
Until next time, Keep living the Dream.....

Yeeehaw!!!

2011-02-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

Yeehaw! I don't really ever say that word, I just felt like it today! Lets say it again for fun....Yeeeeeeehaw!

That's how I'm feeling. Like I accomplished something, even if no one likes it or even takes notice. I set out to list something new and interesting in my etsy shop by this weekend. I did. New goals are good.

I want to make more goals. I want too because it makes me feel good when I reach them, no matter how little or big they are. So I'm going to make more goals and I hope to be able to reach them.

Since I didn't get an opportunity to even think about this years goals at the beginning of the year, I'm thinking about them now! I'm not behind though....I'm right on time.

Setting goals can sometimes be overwhelming. Reaching them can even seem even more troublesome and sometimes when I miss a goal "deadline", I just about give up. I'm just starting to realize how important goals are to succeeding at anything. Both daily and future goals, I definitely need more. I've just been sailing around....I want a more focused, happy, loving life. With less clutter and stress and more relaxation and fun.

I'm going to be using this "Smart" mnemonic, I found online, for setting my goals from now on...
•S - Specific
•M - Measurable (or Meaningful).
•A - Attainable (Action-Oriented).
•R - Relevant
•T - Timing

Who knows what will happen but I do know it will start with simple daily lists of things I want to accomplish each and every day. The inevitable TO DO list and guess what....even though today's post took a completely different direction than I had intended....I'll check "Blog Post on Etsy Update" off today's TO DO list....Yeeeehaw!!!
Did you set goals this year? How are they coming along?
I'm off now....to clean up my office....a tornado of fabric bits came thru...and its also on today's TO DO List!! =:0)
TTFN

Linked to:
Weekend Wrap Up Party

Pocket Full of Posies.....

2011-02-24T16:36:00.000-08:00

Still working on some really cute fabric flower posies....the perfect embellishment...for so many things...

as a matter of fact, its pretty much all I've been doing these last couple of days....making yo-yos, cutting out flowers, sewing and glittering up some small clothes pins too because nothing can be bad when you're making things sparkle....

A few sets of flowers are going into the shop this weekend...I hope you'll like them, they were fun to make.
The weather is suppose to be turning SuPeR cold here...even a chance of SnOw, which I seriously doubt but would LoVe to see!!!! Its 47 degrees right now, down from today so it might be getting a tad bit chilly! I stocked up on soup so the Kids could warm up after school tomorrow and over the weekend. My little doggies will probably not want to go out at all they are such little babies! Hope wherever you are, you're staying warm....
Until next time,

Dragonfly....

2011-02-16T12:22:00.000-08:00

This card is heading off to a friend who recently lost her Brother, to let her know I'm definitely thinking of her. I've decided I just hate making sympathy cards though. Not that I hate making cards for people, I like that, I just dislike making ones that mean someone special has died. Why is death so hard? Writing this blog post made me cry. Lately, I sometimes cry out of the blue without warning. Just a burst of emotions, triggered over something simple.
{Sigh}I miss my Mum.

I had never heard of this story before but someone read it at my Mum's memorial and I thought I'd share...It's called:
Dragonfly
Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever.

Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying.

So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed. Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!
{Author Unknown}
Beautiful huh? and yeah...I know my card has a butterfly on it and not a dragonfly...but they are kind of alike...right?!
Until next time....

Happy {Heart} Day!!!

2011-02-14T08:51:00.000-08:00

What is the story of St. Valentine's Day? Does anybody really know? The Catholic Church recognizes three Saints with "Valentine" or "Valentinus" in their names. It was thought that Valentine was a priest who continued to perform marriages even after Roman Emperor Claudius II had banned them for he thought single men made much better soldiers. Another story suggest that either the same Valentine or another man, while imprisoned, fell in love with the jailers daughter and wrote a love letter to her signing it "Your Valentine". Some believe Valentines is something different altogether and feel it is quite literally...for the birds. A time when love birds choose their mates!
I think Valentines is a day where you give an extra hug or two to the people you love. Its a reminder to not forget to say I love you. You're special to me. That includes friends, neighbors and you too!!

{Photo: My Daughter's Valentines to her Classmates}

Whatever you believe about Valentines and however you celebrate it....I'm "Hoppy" you stopped by and I hope your day is filled with happiness and joy!!

Pocket Full of Yummies!!

2011-02-07T21:03:00.000-08:00

Last week, I received from Peppermint Plum, these very red and see thru envelopes that just screamed "Make me into a Valentine, Please"...so tonight I did..

I sometimes find it hard to work with see thru envelopes but these ones just knew what they wanted to be, so it was easy. I placed a round doilies inside the envelopes and then added a couple of matching wrapped up Ghirardelli squares. {Which are always a fun and tasty little treat!}

I added a heart doilies on the outside with a card stock valentine from daisyd's and matching ribbon. The look gets completed with a fun button and a happy Martha Stewart felt heart {love}.

I truly love Valentines. Not the commercialization of it {I think ALL valentines should be somewhat homemade!} I just love that we are celebrating love. I like sending special valentines with the Kids to share at school and love to see what kinds of valentines they have in their bag when they come home. I like mailing off a few freshly made valentines to Friends and Family too. Its like sending a little hug to people in your life who you just care about! What do you like about Valentines? Do you have any special traditions? I would love to hear about them.

I'll be working on the Kids classroom treats next. I think I've decided on "You Make me Hoppy"! Can you tell the theme? =:o)
I'm hopping off...have a great night!

Linked to:
Get Your Craft On

A Cutie Pie, Hair Yo-Yo, Valentine!!

2011-02-03T16:17:00.000-08:00

Since it was my turn for homework help at the Church and the Girls have choir first, I grabbed some of my crafting supplies and had some quiet time to make some yo-yos before the Kids came into to work. I had been wanting to make some hair clips for a while now and while sitting here today..trying desperately to focus, only on crafting and not what is going on in my "real" life, I started thinking about Valentines and while looking at the happy finished yo-yos, I thought how fun would it be to give a hair bow as valentine! {of course with my sweet tooth, there always has to be a little sweet treat too!} I decided on these....

A yummy little stick of cinnamon red hots with a tag, attached with a glittered clip..and on the tag...a cutie pie hair yo-yo...how cute is that?! I covered the scary stitching with a cute little felt heart! {Magic!}

I think I'm getting a seasonal cold. I've started sneezing {a thousand times} and my eyes feel tired and watery. I'm sleepy too!! I think I'll go try to be horizontal for a minute or two...maybe I can talk the Girls into snuggle time and really hear about their day!!
Thank you for stopping by, I love that you did!
Hugs,

Linked to:

Pretty Packaging!

2011-01-31T20:38:00.000-08:00

I spent today trying to catch up on things I'm so behind on....{but not cleaning...I didn't manage to get any of that done! oops!!} It turned out to be a fun, pajama wearing till the afternoon, type of day. I packaged up some little gifts I have been meaning to send and then I painted the precious packages with a dusting of teal paint and red hearts with polka dots. Bliss. I hope they bring smiles to everyone who touches them along their journey to their secret destinations. I, of course, forgot to take a picture of the outsides of the boxes but did snap a picture of inside one....wanna see?

I hate purchasing wrapping paper. I do. I feel its such a waste of my money. Sometimes I am compelled to buy it because it looks so shiny and pretty but more often than not...I look around my house for something to wrap a gift in and I am more than certain...the giant, huge, enormous roll of craft paper {like this} I purchased 2 {TWO} years ago for $36 is always to the rescue. Using scrap, scrapbook paper, a little tag, a yo yo from my stash...and just things around, I managed to cutely wrap a gift with no additional purchasing! Do you have any tried and true methods of wrapping gifts that you always seem to gravitate to? What was your favorite wrapped present? Did you give it or did you receive it?

Speaking of gifts....It was a good mailbox day today as well...Only one bill...and I received Becky Higgins, Project Life kit, that I had been patiently waiting for...can't wait to start that {although the first part of the year will definately not be my favorite and will probably take some serious effort to journal about!!} I also received a bunch of really cool red, see thru envelopes from the girls over at Peppermint Plum which scream..."Please, make me into something for Valentines".... Puh-lease.....of course I will!

Hope your mailbox was full of happy things!

Taffy Stick Valentines!

2011-01-27T09:09:00.001-08:00

I'm a little behind on all the Valentine stuff. Its sad really because it is one of my favorites for little happy gifts but being gone for two weeks {unprepared} can do that....I did manage to find sometime to work on these adorable taffy treats and I'm so glad I did! =:O)

Wrapping scrapbook paper around these premade taffy sticks and then decorating with bits of felt, doilies and tags makes these valentines so fun! You could probably use any type of candy that was round. Like, big tootsie rolls or lifesavers....hmmmmm...I may need to come up with a version just for the kids exchange valentines....

My Honey loves taffy. Its one of his most favorite treats. So he's been trying to steal the taffy for a while now....I guess I'll have to make him a couple for his lunch box!

They are fun...and different and tasty too. I'll put a couple of these in my etsy store in case you'd like one {or more}!

I hope everything is going great for you! Things are starting to go back to "normal" around here. I like "normal".
Until next time...

An Afternoon Snack and a Simple but Happy Solution!

2011-01-20T15:46:00.000-08:00

Today while I was moving around the house, doing the daily chores, I thought my Kiddos have been so good lately...they deserve a special after school treat...pondering what to make, I came across a stack of these yummy chocolate bars that I had intended to make Christmas goodies with....

Since I had just gone to the store, I knew....what I had in the fridge....yummmmmmmy goodness was about to be happening around here....

The only problem I can see with this afternoon snack {besides the fact that I rushed the stripes and so the white chocolate isn't very nice!} is that the Kids ate them so fast...they were gone in a minute!! Chocolate Covered Strawberries...{Love}

Definitely feeling the need to be creating. The organizing I wanted to get done...feels like it will take years!! So I've decided ten minutes a day is all I will do on tasks I hate and always procrastinate on...anyone can do 10 minutes a day right??! I even made a Dentist appointment which just so happens to be tomorrow and I'm freaked out about it....but still doing it...I'm just doing it!!

I wanted to say Thank You to everyone who left me comments or emails regarding my Mum. I still have a few emails to go but I wanted to let you know that many of you have your emails set to "noreply-comment@blogger.com" which means, I can't contact you when you leave a comment. No one can email you back from any blog comment, its not just me and chances are....some of us want to comment back and wouldn't you just love to hear back from some bloggers?~!

Here is how to fix that unhappy problem....

Go to your dashboard and click on "edit profile" there you should see:
Edit User profile, click it....

Under Privacy you'll see:

Show my email address

Check the box next to that!

After that....scroll down to Identity and enter an email address you would like your return comments to go.

Click "Save" and you are all set to be able to receive comments back!!!

By doing this....you're email address wont post to a blog comment...you still have some privacy but when you decide to leave a comment on a blog, now the blog owner will have a chance to write you back!! Try it!! You might like it!! I know I do.
Hope you are having a great day!!

Heartbroken........

2011-01-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

Its been a horrific two and a half weeks. The short and simple version is all I can do right now and probably all I will do here. Today's post wont be about what I got for Christmas....or how I spent my New Years or what I'm working on...today's post will be about my Mum. My Mom. An incredible loving and caring person. A dedicated nurse. Someone who never forgot a birthday or anniversary, ever! A simple, soft soul. A beautiful and talented artist....and a gal on the verge of retirement with much to look forward to......was tragically killed in a highway accident in St. George, NB a few days after Christmas while travelling back home to NH during a snow storm.

While she was on life support, my Brother, Sisters and I, all desperately tried to be with her and get to Saint John during the northeastern storm. Unfortunately, my Sisters and I did not make it before she passed. I am thankful she was surrounded by the rest of my family who live in Canada and that my Brother was able to be with her as well. We spent the next several days attending memorial services and her funeral, during a time when we should have been celebrating the new year, a birthday and enjoying the last days of the season.
Even in death, she has taught me a few things throughout this experience and so I will be spending the next couple of days taking care of things I should have taken care of long ago. Busying myself with things that are mundane but should be done. I would like to craft but feel obligated to take a little time to organize my life a little better before I do...so that's my plan.
This by far is the most painful thing I have ever experienced. I am hoping this unsurmountable sadness, lessons and the wounds that it has caused, heal. Life is so incredibly unpredictable.
Until next time,

Merry Christmas!!!!

2010-12-24T14:42:00.001-08:00

Just a quick post today...I am suppose to be cleaning, cutting vegetables and such but here I am playing on the computer...

These are the little gifts I gave out this year....A cute take out box...either filled with homemade goodies or a bath items.

So Fun!!
Can't stay and chat....but wanted to pop in real quick and say that I hope you have a Merry Christmas!!!!!
Blessings!!

Still Here....

2010-12-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

When I walked into my office today, I noticed my glue gun was in the trash...picking it out I realized it was still ON!!!! OMGosh!! I totally could have started my house on fire!! The space heater got unplugged...but not the glue gun!! I can't believe I did that!!! I'm still kinda in shock about it! The gun was stuck to a bunch of papers and the glue itself was almost black! Scary, Scary, Scary!! I'll be checking that {and checking it again} from now on!!! {This is the same glue gun that last month permanently left a "tattoo" of a circle on my calf when I dropped it and it stuck to my skin!}
I only have one little stuffed fabric house left to do today and all the Christmas orders are done and out. Most of my wrapping is also done...this year I wrapped quite a few like in this picture I saw over at Women's Day.....using a HUGE roll of craft paper I bought several years ago. I use it all the time and still have probably a half a roll left!! I added some doilies and rubber stamps to mine!!

Photo: Women's Day
I only have a few items to pick up for Christmas, which I will do today and grocery shop and I can officially relax for a bit! Woohoooo....exciting!!! Wish I had a fireplace....I would finish all my stuff, start a fire {in the fireplace and not my office trash can!} and drink a Peppermint latte and stare at the Christmas tree...trying to soak it all in before it disappears for another year! I'll do all that, just minus the fireplace!
I'm working right now on a few little gifts for a couple of Girlfriends which I can't show just yet because I haven't figured out quite how I'm packaging them {Presentation, Presentation, Presentation}....but some of them include an adorable little bottle of this....perfect for one and so Girly!! {Love}

Photo: The Washington Post
Have you seen this champagne before? I haven't but I'm not a big champagne drinker. I'll show you the final present when I'm done!! Fun! {It also includes a yummy bath bomb from Lush!!}
How are you? Are you all ready for Christmas? Is your shopping done? Do you have any special traditions? Are you travelling?
Well be sure to unplug your glue gun and Merry on....

Use what you Already have.....

2010-12-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas is such a fun time of year. Busy. Reflective. Promising. Exciting and a little sad too. I wish I lived closer to my Family, who I miss just a little bit more than usual this time of year!!

Yesterday, when I asked my Daughter for some ideas on what she might want for Christmas...she exclaimed that she wanted a big candy bar like I have in my office...then she said...no wait...I want TWO!! So funny!!! I do have a bunch of chocolate bars in my office...these ones...

The Kids want a couple of special chocolate gifts to give to friends from church and school...so I thought these would be perfect!! A little smaller than the bars I used last year but just as yummy!! They are so easy to make! They look pretty and taste yummy...could you ask for anything better?! {LOVE}

What little gifties are you making for your Kids to share with friends? For me...these fit in my budget quite nicely...I only had to buy the chocolate which I bought when it went on sale. I used 2 sheets of scrapbook paper per bar and rubber stamps, ribbon and other supplies I already on hand. The picks I bought last year when they were on DEEP discount just so I would have them this year!! I Love that I had most of all the supplies already!!
Well, I'm getting ready to deliver an order for a bunch of chocolate covered pretzels to a fabulous customer. Thankful to be busy!!
Have a Wonderful night!!

Keeping it Real!

2010-12-09T22:04:00.000-08:00

It's been CrAzY busy around here! We finally decorated our Christmas tree tonight...half way into December! Ugh!! The four shows I did were great and I'm seriously so tired that I almost can't wait until Sat. where there is a possibility I might actually be able to sleep in!!
Tonight we celebrated my Daughter's Birthday....officially a Teenager today!!! Time sure has a way of going by incredibly fast!! For each of the Kids birthdays, I cook whatever they want....she picked my stuffed bell peppers and garlic bread but she didn't want me to bake the dessert she wanted a store bought cupcake {with piled high frosting!}. Her Friend and she went with Dad to the store to pick it out and she returned with this....

A Dome cake, a Christmas tree dome cake....with, I'm quite certain, way more frosting than actual cake...and TONS of green dye...my hands are stained from cutting it..I'm a frosting girl and this was over the top! We all had a good laugh!!

Do you do any digital or hybrid scrapbooking? I've wanted to but I'll admit, I never have and I don't even know how to...but I'm about to learn how {I hope!!}....I was asked to join The Hybrid Chick Blog and post a tutorial once a month over there!!!I'll be working with some of the beautiful products over at The Digichick and if I can figure it all out...I'll be doing some Hybrid projects!! Exciting!!! Go check the sites out, there are some wonderful projects out there!!!

Hope your week is going great!!
Hugs,

Keep Calm and Jingle On!!

2010-12-03T08:58:00.000-08:00

Wow...has it been crazy around here! I have three shows this weekend and a show on Tuesday! I'm not sure that was the smartest plan {unless I had started back in September, which I had not!!} So I'm pretty much stressing about the amount, the variety, the prices, the look, the packaging.....pretty much everything...that is my way though...it can be a little motivating too and its not to say...that I'm not excited because, I am! =:O)

Sometime though I just have to remind myself....it is what it is and the Keep Calm and Carry On signs fit perfectly to how I'm feeling. So I decided it was a perfect time to make a couple of Big Tic Tac packs with a variation of that....Fun?!
And speaking of Keep Calm and Carry On...today's history lesson...
Did you know that the Keep Calm and Carry On theme or saying on a poster was designed to uplift morale for the British Soldiers in WWII in case of a disaster?! Apparently, they, the posters, were never really distributed and it wasn't until 2000 when one of the posters was found in a bookstore that the saying and its poster started becoming popular! Interesting huh?!
Well I'm off again...time to see what I can do with some Ghirardelli squares...
Hope you're doing something fun and remember....
Keep Calm and Jingle On!!

Dog'gone Cute!!!

2010-11-28T23:08:00.000-08:00

Wherever we go, my Kiddo's are always trying to get me to buy our Dogs either clothes, treats or toys. Most of the time...I say no but the other day we were in a Chocolate Factory and saw some white dipped dog treats....since I thought chocolate was poisonous to doggies?! I asked about them....No chocolate in these, they were made from yogurt. Perfectly safe for dogs!! So I bought some and our dogs loved them!!...Which of course prompted me to must have some all natural yogurt dipped dog treats...with "sprinkles" for Christmas!! {and yes, even the Dogs, HAVE to have "sprinkles"!!}

The plan is to take some to the craft fair with me and put some in my Etsy store but I'm still wondering if I made the dip too wet??!! I'm not sure if they are going to fully dry!! They look fun and since the dogs have been wondering in and out of the kitchen they must smell good to them. So lets hope they dry, otherwise I'll have to put them in a container and our doggies are going to have some gooey treats this Christmas month!!

Who knew dog treats could be so cute!! {I know, I've lost my mind! It happens all the time!!}
The Kids are back to school tomorrow after a full week off and hopefully, I will be able to get the house back in a little bit of order and finish the laundry. A shower during daylight hours would be nice too! I need to go to Sam's Club to get some yummy cocoa packets for some snowman soup I'm making and managing my time better this week would be great! I swear this computer is able to suck up so much of my time its amazing!!!! Hopefully you are rested from this past holiday!! What are your exciting plans this week??

Happy Friday!!!

2010-11-26T12:57:00.000-08:00

I'm recovering from my yearly dose of tryptophan and the sleepiness that come afterwards!! I even slept in =:O) Of course my tiredness could have come from all the older Kids going out at midnight to do some Christmas shopping and either calling or coming home at 3, 4, and almost 5 in the morning!! All telling stories of the crowds and their CrAzY shopping experiences....I did a little online shopping at midnight and was pretty happy with my purchases. I'm not a big crowd fighter so I was done by 12:30am!! Did you brave the crowds and go out? What was your most amazing deal?

I did make some of these little candy pockets goodie bags before the Thanksgiving guests arrived. I saw some similar for Thanksgiving and thought what a great idea for Christmas!

Filled with lots of yummy candy....The Candy cane can be placed on the tree afterwards and the little tag can even be used again on a parcel or package! Love that!! Too fun!! I put some in my etsy store in case your interested!

Well, I'm off...going to do a little more online shopping and then start working on some more goodie bags for the craft show. Hope you are having a Great Day and if you're shopping...you are getting Great deals!!

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Happy Thanksgiving!!

2010-11-24T20:15:00.001-08:00

Just a quick pop in here to say....Happy Thanksgiving!!!
It wouldn't be Thanksgiving, if I didn't say what I'm thankful for, even though I know I should say it more often...
so, not in any particular order....
I am very Thankful for everyone who visits my blog and to those who leave comments and those that don't.
I am very Thankful for those whom support me with every purchase!
I am Thankful for my beautiful, crazy, exciting, interesting, lovely Family...near and far, whom I desperately love, a lot, a lot!
I am Thankful for Friends who sometimes amaze me with their kindness, thoughtfulness, the laughter they bring and just plain niceness!!
I am so very Thankful for my Honey, who never fails to work harder, treats me like a Princess and is a wonderful Dad....everyday!!
There is so much more I am Thankful for...but I guess you just need to know that
I am Thankful!!

I hope you have a Wonderful Holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Baby it's Cold Outside!!!! Brrrrrrr.....

2010-11-22T22:27:00.000-08:00

It's Freezing!! Okay...so its not exactly freezing...but it feels like it to me!! There is even a Freezing warning for the County...so it IS cold...perfect time to make these wrapped Chocolate Bars! When I was cruising around and saw these little snowman here, I thought....how sweet {like most of her stuff...Cute, Cute, Cute!!}! These are such perfect little winter treats! I decided I couldn't help but make some and sitting here freezing right now was the perfect time!!

I love the little wrappers but felt I needed to make them a little more dimensional for me.....so I put some glitter on the hearts and used Crystal Lacquer on ALL the little black buttons...they almost feel like they are popping off the chocolate bar now!! I love it...and they are shiny too!! If I make them again, I will add the Crystal Lacquer to their little carrot noses too!! Have you used Crystal Lacquer?

I've had quite a few emails regarding my little Magic Reindeer Food...a lot wanting to know whats in em'....I used colorful bird seed, oats and sugar crystals in mine. Eco-Friendly!! The fun part about it...we tossed the left over mix out in the yard and.....there have been more birds out there! {Kinda sad for the Doggies, who really, really, want to chase those birds but fun for us to watch!!} Thank you to everyone who wrote with your nice comments!! They mean a lot to me!!
The weeks continue to be crazy trying to get things together for the craft fairs. I sure hope I end up having a lot...right now its looking pretty slim...but I'm trying...really I am...even in between taking the Kids to a pre-screening of the movie Tangled..Which was very fun..this little guy was my favorite part...

It comes out on Wednesday so if you like cute Disney movies...go see it!! You'll laugh!!
Well...its late and cold...I'm off to snuggle up...

Magic Reindeer Food!!

2010-11-16T20:07:00.000-08:00

I'm still here! Sorry for the lack of posts lately...I'm really trying hard to get ready for the craft shows....I love to do them but at the same time, I always want my stuff to be super cute and so I think that makes me super slow moving {plus, the four Kids at home might have a little something to do with it!} My craft room is a major disaster!!! WOW...its almost hard to walk in here! I did just finished a bunch of little test tubes filled to the brim with Magic Reindeer Food!! The kind you sprinkle on your lawn on Christmas Eve to help Santa find his way right to your house!

I love how they turned out! Is that weird to say about your own stuff? Well...I guess if I didn't like it...you wouldn't be seeing it and I certainly wouldn't be selling it eh?! I think thats whats hard about blogging sometimes...you never know if anyone likes your stuff.

I think my favorite part of these little tags is the little sprig behind the "oh, deer" tag! Fun! I love these PTI stamps!! I think I have a PTI addiction. {lol, that actually sounds like something scary! Its not, really!} On the back of each tag is a little poem on how to sprinkle the reindeer food...{Love}

What are you doing? Are you going to any craft fairs? Are you doing any craft fairs? I seriously think Christmas is coming WAY to fast!! Hope you're doing something you love!
Hugs,

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Happy Little Houses!!

2010-11-09T12:48:00.001-08:00

November is FLYING by! Super fast!! It just needs to slow down...I have so many things to do!!! Is it going quick for you? All the stores kinda skip Thanksgiving too, nothing but Christmas right after Halloween. Its all too fast for me right now!
I have been crafting though....working on items for the craft fairs I'm doing. I've been working on these little house ornaments..they are so cute...I love that each one has its own personality!

I told my youngest there were magic fairies in them....now she wants them all and has been asking for me to make her one with dogs on it....so I'll have to be on the lookout for some cutie dog fabric print. I still have more to sew....they all seem to be in various stages of done....but not enough completed....

What are you working on? Are you doing any craft fairs?
I'm off to sew some more....Have a great rest of the week!!

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November Already!!?!!

2010-11-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

This month is going to be super busy!! I am doing a couple of crafts shows in early December and will be trying to get all sorts of goodies ready for them in the next couple of weeks!! Unfortunately...with all this leftover Halloween candy starring at me and my lack of will power over such yummy deliciousness, I decided to bag a few into these cute little bags!!

This one is making its way home to AZ tonight...tucked safely into my sisters luggage for giving to my other Sister! How can anyone loss weight this week?! Oh, I know most can...but I have a serious feeling that tomorrow the scale will not go in my favor...and it will be my will powers fault for sure!!
Get ready to see some craft fair items in the next couple of weeks....I feel I'm already behind...so many ideas....so little time!!
Off to get ready to take my Sister to the airport...with tears in my eyes already!! =:O(