Snow and Packing

It finally snowed yesterday. We only got an inch that didn't stick much to the concrete, but there was enough in the grass to make a few tiny snowballs. Our neighbor's kids made a snowman. There hasn't been much creativity lately since I'm mostly packing and keeping up with my normal household stuff. I did send in a batch of ClinkIts pendants and necklaces for the February Sampler. So keep an eye on the gallery over there for a photo of what I submitted. There will also be a few of those necklaces on my website for sale early next week.

Another thought on packing all of my craft stuff. Can I just tell you that I'm slightly embarrassed at the amount of stuff I've collected? I know in the new house my studio will have room to really organize it all. There are so many things that I want to make that I just haven't because I can't easily find the supplies I've bought. I'm anxious for a fresh start on having a more organized home. The first step I've taken to doing that is to make sure what I don't need doesn't make the move. I've been taking lots of stuff to Goodwill, listing stuff on eBay, listing stuff on Craigs List, and giving stuff away. I have a month left to get it all done and I'm making good progress.

Where the heck have I gone?

OK, Thanksgiving? Seriously, how pathetic is that? I couldn't have posted once between Thanksgiving and New Years? I don't have any good excuse either. I was just selfishly absorbed elsewhere and now we're getting ready to move next month. I hope you had a nice holiday and happy new year to you!

I was trying to make some goals for myself for 2008. I'm sure some of these will sound run of the mill, but nevertheless, here they are:

1. Create More. - In our new house I will have my own studio! I'm so excited, it's big, has a large workbench and it's all MINE! Oh and it has windows! I'm thrilled to finally have my own room!

2. Promote Myself / Sell More. - I will finally follow through on selling jewelry to people I know who have been asking to see more of what I do. I also want to list more on Etsy.

3. Lose at least 30 lbs. - I would like to get a bit more healthier this year!

4. Be more organized. - How I desperately need this!

5. Practice more random acts of kindness.

6. Stay in touch better with family and friends. - I'm horrible at sending cards and returning calls, this year will be DIFFERENT!

7. Last but not least... Blog More! - I need to be more confident in writing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

After cooking all day, I finally am able to rest a bit and write. We started the day with Belgian waffles with walnuts. Had some queso dip around 1pm and Dinner was served at 4. This was the first year that I correctly estimated how long the Turkey would take to cook. I always go by the charts, but it usually takes an hour longer than the charts say. Perhaps after three years, I'm finally getting the hang of my quirky 1970's oven. I took the pecan pie out a little while ago, which everybody will enjoy later I'm sure.

This year I made three stuffings. Vegetarian for my In-Laws, inside the turkey for my brother-in-laws and myself, and just from the box for my husband. I made two types of mashed potatoes: regular and a small batch using Lactaid milk for one of my brother-in-laws. Everything else was only one version, thankfully. Other than burning the roasted garlic, everything turned out great.

I still have to run out to the convenience store and grab a paper to see what good deals there are tomorrow. My husband has his eyes set on a HD camcorder. I plan on buying tons of craft stuff I don't really need (but really want) at JoAnn's or Michael's. I hope you all had a wonderful day and good luck if you're shopping tomorrow!

Paper Dolls Anyone?

I made a jointed paper doll tutorial years ago when I was part of an online stamping community. I still get occasional emails about it, so I decided to put it back up.

It's a very easy project, and perfect for children. Especially if you use brads to connect the parts instead of using wire like I mention in the tutorial. These would also make great ornaments for the Christmas tree. You can make color copies of people and glue their faces on the doll's head.

If you are really into paper dolls and want this doll as a set of rubber stamps, visit my friend's store, Time To Stamp. She has a lot of great other stamps as well.

Not much else going on here. Just getting my ClinkIts 101 tutorial up for anyone who wants to know how to rubber stamp and emboss on the ClinkIts glass.

I also have a few more tutorials to put back up. They include a knotted bead necklace, stamped glass christmas ornaments, and a simple strung bracelet. I expect these to be up before the end of the year.

Here is a mosaic of paper doll related listings on eBay:

I'm glad I wasn't in any of the photos I took today.

I'm so glad my shirt was tagless today. I wore it the entire day (well at least until 9pm) inside out! That means the hour and a half at the park as well as the pharmacy! Maybe I'm back in style, is it retro-in-style to wear tshirts inside out?? I vaguely remember something like that when I was in school. Late 80's or early 90's perhaps? At any rate, I doubt anybody noticed. I was successful taking some photos at the park today. I actually had to break out a jacket. It was a nice 59 degrees when we got there. I love this weather!

Aren't these colors perfect for fall? This bracelet is made with wire wrapped ClinkIts, glass beads and plated findings. Now available in my Etsy shop.

Happy Early Halloween

I took my kids to The Avenues East Cobb for an afternoon of trick or treating today. They were dressed as pirates. At 3 1/2 and 2, I'm not sure if I'm going to take them out Halloween night, so this provides a safe daytime alternative. I've gone three years in a row now and this year it was totally packed. They really go all out for the kids and it's totally free. Jugglers, photo ops, music and games. I was supposed to be meeting people from my Moms Meetup Group, but we got there late and it was crowded, so I never did bump into any of them. I hope they had fun too!

I submitted stuff for the November Sampler. I'm going to try to submit for December too, but we'll see. Until four days ago I was plagued with migraines and/or severe headaches daily for nearly two months. I still have no idea why but my Father-in-law (he's a Neurologist) has helped me make some changes in diet and lifestyle that has helped. Some new medicine for the migraines has also helped. I have to remember to take the medicine when the migraine first starts and not try to "tough it out", like I always do. Here is the photo of my samples from The Sampler's website.



That's about it for now, I hope things calm down over the next few weeks so I can make a few tutorials for you. In the meantime, check out my tutorial for wire wrapping my Clinkits here.

Think Pink!

As many of you are already aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. To find out more information about this type of cancer visit the Susan G. Komen website. This website is stuffed full of information, resources, and how you can help.

Casio has donated a pink digital camera to 5 Minutes for Mom. Pop over there, spread the word about breast cancer awareness and leave a comment to be entered to win.

As for me, I sent a few pink prizes over to Aimee of Aimeeroo.com. She's going to be giving away prizes all month, so make sure you stop by her website.

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.

Margaret Fuller (1810 - 1850)