What free time?!

Somehow, I came up with this crazy idea that having both kids in school would give me free time. Free time? What's that?! I have yet to sit and read a book or go out to lunch with a friend or anything because I haven't slowed down.

It is nice to be able to do what I want to and not feel like I'm neglecting kids. But, at the same time, I really miss having them here. The summer was great and I enjoyed our time together. Knowing that both boys are doing great and are in just the right place for them makes it easier, though.

My etsy business has taken off with custom orders. And, two boutiques here in town have started selling my bottlecap pendants. Up In Stitches is a fun store in downtown Longview. They have a lot of "vendors" that sell their items there. I also have them at Polka Tot Boutique in north Longview, by the new Wal-Mart. This is my first month to sell with both stores, so we'll see if it goes well.

Any Longhorn fans?

Or are you more of an Aggie?

Punk Princess overload...

The other day, I saw someone with one of my bottlecap pendants on and I didn't know her, so I know I didn't sell it to her. That was way cool!!

How 'bout them Cowboys?!

My friend, Amy, is using my bottlecaps in her bows and she has done a fantastic job! All of her bows are adorable and seem to be selling really well.

Personalized with the initial of your choice.

So, that's why I haven't been blogging lately. Yes, it's just another excuse... But, it's a good one, right?!

Teacher Gifts and Wrapping

Back when I made Russell's teacher a crayon initial, I had grand intentions of making one for each of Randall's teachers, too. It just didn't happen. So, I was determined to make them for the end of the year.

My neighbor, Allison, wanted to make one, too, so we spent a few hours together one evening and cut up crayons. We're such cut-ups. Ha, ha. Ha. Hmmm.

Anyway, I was very pleased with the result! So, of course, I had to take a picture. For some reason, when I make a gift, I like it so much, it's hard to give it away. Although, I don't know what I'd do with two crayon intials (especially considering I don't have a 'K' or a 'P' anywhere in my name...). But, if I take a picture, I have no trouble giving it away. I know, I'm weird.

So, here they are:


And, just because I'm so crafty and cool like that, I even wrapped them up in a very professional manner.


Oh, wait, I must've forgotten to take a picture of them all wrapped and spiffy in their matching paper with handmade bows. Or... Maybe the whole "matching wrapping paper and handmade bows" was just in my wildest dreams. You spend too much time cutting crayons and sniffing tacky glue and you, too, can have wild dreams...

I used the basic idea of the crayon initial from Dawn's blog. She helped me last time (because I don't have PhotoShop and I waited until the last minute before beginning my project), but this time, I was a big girl and did it by myself. It was much easier than I expected. I used Word and made mine to fit an 8 1/2 x 11 frame.

No handmade cards this time with the busy-ness of the end of the school year. I know, I know...

By the time the kids graduate from high school, they will have left a trail of initials and broken hearts... er, crayons.

Caroling to the Neighbors'?

I was planning on packaging up some of our gingerbread cookies to give to the boys' Sunday School and Kids' Church teachers, but since I missed church on Sunday, I wasn't able to. I figured they wouldn't last until the next week, so I decided to give them to a few of our neighbors instead.

So, I finished up the cards I was going to give to the teachers and wrote a little note to our neighbors instead with our names, address and phone number and made up three packages (that was all the cookies there were left after I snacked on them).






I mentioned it to the kids in the afternoon and then mentioned the possibility of singing Christmas carols and delivering them in the evening instead. The boys thought that was a great idea! So, we sat down and sang through a few songs to make sure they knew the words. We were ready.

Then Slade got home, we ate dinner and he got started on hooking the ice-maker up. So, he wasn't going to be coming with us. No problem, the three of us could still sing.

But, then, out of the blue, the boys decided they didn't want to sing after all. They really didn't want to even go, the little stinkers. I guess the house was just too warm and the dark night too cold.

But, the three of us headed out, anyway, with Randall whining about being cold... We went to Mr. Bill's house, next door, but he wasn't home, so we crossed the street to the so and so's and gave them a bag of cookies and a Christmas card. I never can remember their names although I've been told a few times. They are a young-ish couple, no kids, he's in school and she works full-time. We always wave at each other, but I don't think I would recognize them if I passed them outside of our neighborhood.

Then we went to the neighbors' directly across from us. They have three boys, all Randall's age and younger, and we would love to get to know them better, but we seem to go in different directions and our paths just don't cross. They're not unkind or anything, we just haven't clicked, I think. And they always have family/friends over, so I guess they stay pretty busy. But, we keep trying. Maybe as her boys get older, she'll be outside more and we can get to know each other a little better.

Then we headed down the street to a couple that are my parents' age. I went to school with their children and I really enjoy chatting with them. They have both always been very warm and friendly to us and always stop to talk whenever we see them. They said a big thank you to us and chatted with us before we headed home.

So, no singing this year, but we did get out and say hi and the kids did seem to enjoy it.

We'll keep working on the songs and maybe we'll be ready next year...

Teacher Gift and Card

This year, I had a blast making Russell's teacher, Mrs. Cole, a Christmas gift. I saw a GREAT idea months ago from Tip Junkie that led me to Dawn's blog. She had a wonderful idea posted for a teacher gift.

Well, yesterday, while Randall was under the weather, I got to work. It took me about 30 minutes and I still couldn't get it to look how I wanted, so I e-mailed Dawn and asked what program she used and such. She was so, so sweet to offer to just do it for me (I think I sounded pretty pitiful...).

So, this is a group effort:


I was very pleased with how it turned out and Mrs. Cole seemed to really like it. It's a frame that can be displayed for years to come.

Here's the card that I remembered this morning that I wanted to make! I bought the stamp a few weeks ago (when it was on sale, of course!) knowing I wanted to make a teacher card with it. I colored him to look like Russell.


It was quick and easy and I followed this sketch:


Here's a close up of the lunch bag. It kinda looks like it's full of food from the top.


Both together. The ribbon topiary to the left is the Christmas craft we made for our last MOPS craft. Isn't it cute?!


I meant to make two for Randall's teachers, but time got away and I totally forgot. I might still make them for after the holidays. Next on my gift-to-do list, gifts for Sunday School/Kids' Church teachers.

Some Updates

Well, a huge thank you to everyone that encouraged me on my post about our long day. Did anyone recognize the title as being one of the songs from... Oh, geez, I just forgot the name of the play... I was a secretary in a play in high school and that song was one of the songs in it... Oh, well, I guess it loses a little something when even I can't remember. Anyone else?

Anyway, thank you so much for your advice and encouragement. The next day was a wonderful day and Randall was back to his sweet self. We're going to make it.

Unfortunately, Slade said he had to deal with Randall refusing to pick up his jacket off the floor this afternoon, so, I guess we're still learning...

Today, I had my second-to-last craft show of the year in Paris. Texas, that is. Although, it felt as far away as Paris, France when I realized last night that it wasn't a 45 minute drive, it was a 2 hour drive. Why did I do a craft show that far away? Oh, yeah, because it went so well last year. And, it went just as well this year, too.

The show opened at 9, so I had to be there before 8:30 to set up. That meant I had to leave Longview at 6:15. I did it. I didn't want to get out of our warm bed, but I did. And, I wasn't late, I didn't get lost and I didn't get hit when I tried to pass a slow truck on the left. That third one was a close one, though!

I love doing these craft shows and I usually enjoy eavesdropping, nonchalantly, on conversations going on around me. Today, I heard a few interesting comments.

Sentence overheard from one older lady to another as they looked at my refrigerator scrapbooks. "Oh, that's...interesting. What do you think it is?!"

I also heard someone say, "Looks like someone has wa-a-ay too much free time on their hands!" Luckily that one wasn't about me, it was about my neighbor. Still rude, but not personal.

I also laugh (inside, of course) when I explain what something is and I get a slow nod and "Oh, well, how cute..." Like, they don't know what else to say, but there's no way they want to purchase one for themselves.

Paris really comes out for this craft show. I remember that about last year. From the time the doors open until well after lunch, there is a crowd. People everywhere! It was fun. I got very low on everything, but that was partly because I kinda forgot this show was coming up and I didn't really overstock like I usually do. Oh, well, I'll know better next year.

Now, I'm unwinding at the computer while I wait for Slade and the boys to get home from Small Group. I was bummed that I had to miss it because it was at the Nelle's and there were roasted marshmallows. Oh, and a lesson from Slade, fun fellowship, as well as hotdogs over the fire, too. But, roasted marshmallows! I'd request Slade to bring one home, but I know it wouldn't be the same. Oh, well.

I'll leave you with this:

Jackpot!

This morning, my mom called and asked if I wanted to go garage saling. I hadn't showered, the house was a mess, Randall was still in jammies... Sure!

We had a great time and so did the kids! We had Randall, Josh, Julia and Ally. My mom gave each kiddo a ziplock bag with $2 or $3 in quarters so they could be on the look out for treasures and we headed out.

We went to about 8 or so garage sales and just had a good time. My mom didn't buy as much as I did, but she was still happy with her purchases.

And I was very pleased with my finds!

The whole kit and kaboodle:


I found brown sandals, perfect condition, for a buck. An ornament hanging thingy that I can use when I want to take pictures of things for my etsy shop that need to hang (handmade ornaments, etc). A roll of crochet thread that I use when I make hanging tags for gifts. And two battleship games, one big one and one for travel.

More in detail:

I got this pretty wooden dresser at one of the early sales for $5! And it's in mint condition! The drawers are super long and will hold... well, I haven't exactly decided what they will hold yet. Any advice?


I also found these two holiday containers. The top one is glass with a clear lid. It will be perfect for Halloween candies to give to a teacher next year. It is in brand new condition. I paid $0.25 for it! The bottom one is plastic and has poinsettias around it. Perfect for taking Christmas cookies to all those Christmas parties that I know are just around the corner. I think it was also twenty-five cents.


Last is one of my favorite finds--a huge stack of practically new condition Golden Books. Unfortunately, they were fifty cents each and the lady wasn't budging. I decided it was worth it because I want to use them to make these journals I've seen all over the web. I have the binding machine and all. They are really in such good condition that I probably got them for a good price.


So, all in all, a great trip! Everyone came back to my house for egg salad sandwiches (my mom and me) and chicken nuggets (the non-egg eaters...).

It was a fun, impromptu trip and I'm glad we were free to do it!

How-To Blog Header

I'll just pass on what Janette e-mailed me (and my own trial and error discoveries) so anyone interested can do their blogs, too.

Go to scrapblog and make your scrapblog. When you finish it, you will want to save it. I chose not to publish it the first time, but then when I did the next step (next paragraph), it said I had to, so go ahead and publish it and get it out of the way.

Then go to "File" (top left) and go down to "Export as JPEG". Save it wherever you will be able to find it again.

Then go into your blog and into "Layout". Click on "Edit" where your header is and click on "instead of title and description" and "shrink to fit". Then browse and find your image to upload. If you add your image first, you won't be able to click on "shrink to fit" and your header will be huge. Click on "Save".

Then you'll be back to "Layout" where you will click on "Fonts and Colors" on the top. You can go in there and change your background color, your font, your page element colors, etc. Make sure you save everything.

I hope that answered the questions.

Have fun! Try not to neglect your children or other responsibilities... Not that *I* would do that, but there might be some that would... Remind yourself that people are more important than scrapblogging. Repeat as necessary.

So, how'd your header turn out?

Life just got better!

I have a new blog header! Whoo hoo! I am always wishing I could change my blog header. I get easily bored and want to do things differently. Now I can!! And it took no time at all! If you're interested in digital scrapbooking or changing your header (and there are probably other things you can do with your scrapblogs that I don't know of yet!), then check out www.scrapblog.com. You'll be addicted. Luckily, it's an addition that doesn't take too much time.

I first saw Elizabeth's scrapbook pages and thought they looked neat, but I'm not really into digital scrapbooking. Then Kristen and Kelly mentioned that Meredith had helped them create headers for their blogs. Then Janette said Kristen had walked her through it and even gave a link where I could do it, too! Whew! All that to say, Thank You to anyone and everyone that was involved in me finding out about scrapblogs. *grin*

Now, go ye forth and scrap!

Just gotta share

I just found this great reward system idea! I would love to do it myself, take/post pictures and then take the credit, but that would be lying. And, liars go to hell. -Rev. 21:8 As me sometime, and I'll sing "the song". Yes, there is a song about liars going to hell. It's catchy.

But, go here and I'll let the original owner of the idea take the credit.

Beware: You'll enjoy her blog so much, you might not be able to stop reading it. As if I didn't have enough blogs I already like to read...

Just remember, you were warned...

Oh, and, just in case you need yet another blog to read, go here. I believe she's a friend of the first blog lady and just as creative and enjoyable to "meet". She also has photography tips and editing tips/tutorials, which are of no help to me, but some of you might benefit from. Well, I, too, would benefit from them, should I take the time to use them. Yeah, anywho.

So, go ahead. You'll thank me. Or you might not. But I'm okay with that.

Craft Room--Before/After

It. is. finished.

Slade, the boys and I made our trip to IKEA Friday. We had a blast (a few pictures to come later), but the most important thing is that I got the furniture I wanted to organize my craft room!

Let me start with the before pictures. They're a little scary. You can see why I really, really wanted to get to IKEA and get something to help with organizing!

Here's what you would see when you first looked in the guest/scrap room.


If you were brave enough to venture further in, this is what you would have seen.


I did move some rickety bookshelves and my storage carts out (and I vacumed) before taking these pictures. I meant to take the pictures first, but I forgot until I was halfway through.


Here's the stuff that was in the clean corner of the craft room.


And this. This is what my "crafting corner" of the livingroom sometimes... *ahem*... often looks like. Like a crafting monster threw up, I know.


I knew I wanted the Expedit shelving system because I had seen it on a few other crafting blogs and it looked perfect for helping me to have my junk (I mean, stuff) right at my fingertips to insure that I would use it. However, I had read on many blogs and different threads that this was a very difficult shelving unit to put together. I heard phrases like "this definitely takes two", "you'll need a rubber mallet", "the instructions that come with the bookshelf are worthless", "you'll be sweating profusely by the time you finally get finished" and such. Yikes!

When we got home from Dallas around 9:30 Friday night, I knew Slade wouldn't want to start on the bookshelf until the next day. So, being the determined person that I am, I decided to put it together by myself. I had desire and determination... but no rubber mallet. But, I figured I could at least get it started. Slade had headed to bed around 10 and I determined to do as much as I could by myself.

Less than an hour later, I had that shelf completed. I didn't even curse once. I did kick the shelf a time or two, but it wasn't out of anger, it was in place of using the rubber mallet that I didn't have. However, after I finished the shelf, I had the sickening, sinking thought: "What if we can't get it maneuvered through the doorways and into the guest room?!?!" I decided to try to lift the 6 x 6 foot, heavy as all get out, bookshelf by myself and see if it would make it. I got it about 2 feet off the ground and decided that I didn't want Slade to find me squished underneath it the next morning, so I headed to bed, too.

The next morning, Slade lifted the shelf with not even a grunt (I'm telling you, it really was heavy, even if he didn't let it show) and we used furniture sliders similar to these (but cheaper from Lowe's) to get the shelf into the guest room.
The boys thought it was fun to go through the openings when it was in the hallway. The bookshelves on the left are the old, rickety ones.


I thought this was a cute picture... until I noticed Russ' teeth. I asked what he was doing and he said, "Did you know I could make just my two front teeth show?" Well, no, I didn't, but now I do, don't I?


I thought this was a fun shot of all my boys.


Okay, here are the after shots:

When you first look in the room


This is a dresser that my neighbor, Allison, saved from death on the side of the road and she and her husband, Brad, sanded, stained and then stenciled it. (The stencil work doesn't show in the picture) They wanted to sell it when they had their youngest, Cooper, and we snatched it up. I love it! It's very sturdy.

It holds my Cuttlebug stuff on top and random stuff in the drawers. The thing hanging from the drawer pulls is a beautiful set of picture frames (they're backwards, so you can't see how pretty they are) that I plan to hang in the livingroom... someday.


A little further to the left is the reorganized TV cabinet that some friends gave to me a few months ago. My paper rack fit perfectly on top!


Then, keep going to the left, and you see the main reason I wanted to go to IKEA. I love, love it! I was going to get a white one, but with white walls, I decided this darker one would be better. I still want to get some baskets (strangely enough, IKEA didn't have the ones I wanted) to replace some of the plastic bags/containers I have in there for now.


Then, my desk area. I don't have any leg room, do I? Oops. But, I can wheel my big machine out of the way when I sit and work.


Some of the shelves, in no particular order.






Whew.

It feels so good to have everything organized. I did discover that I have too much paper! I need to use some up or get rid of it. But, other than that, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I really only have stuff I use. Yay!

So, anyone wanna come over and craft?!

Garage Sale Goodness

Last weekend, I was in the garage saling mood! I've been purging and pricing getting ready for a garage sale with my sisters and some girlfriends in a few weeks. I guess it got me in the garage sale mindset and I wanted to go. So, Friday, my mom and I loaded up the kids--my two and Josh, Julia and Ally.

We garage saled from about 9 or so until 11:30, I think, and it was one of the best garage sale days ever! I found some great things. Here are a few of my fun finds:

Anyone know what this is?


Did you know it was a spice rack? Yeah, okay, so there are some smarty pants out there, but I didn't know what it was. And, once the seller told me, I knew I didn't need a spice rack, but I thought of a better use for it...


My craft paints fit perfectly and the whole rack spins like a lazy susan. The bigger bottle of varnish fits perfectly in the middle of the rack, too.


Next, I found these 2 glass containers and the bright blue pot. The glass jar on the right is in my bathroom holding cotton balls. Once I washed it, it was beautiful. It sits right next to a similar jar I bought from Southern Living that holds q-tips. Guess which one was cheaper?! I'm not sure what I'll do with the blue pot yet, but I loved the color and I think it cost a quarter. I'll probably use it for paintbrushes or something tall.


The jar on the left was 10 cents and it's huge! It must've been an economy size pickle jar or something. And it holds my copic markers perfectly! Yay! And, if I need more big jars like it, I bet I can eat pickles for a year to get one or two.


This was just a so-so find, but I couldn't pass it up. Chili pepper stamps and some really nice Memories stamp pads. Not that I need those colors in stamp pads, but I might need them someday, right?! And, I don't have any immediate need for chili pepper stamps, but, again, someday... The whole set was $2. I guess I could make a card for a "hot" friend or something... Any ideas?


The kids were even great the whole time we browsed! I told Randall he could help me go treasure hunting and he might even find something he really liked, his own treasure. He took the treasure part very seriously and wouldn't buy anything at the first few sales because he was looking for the perfect treasure. Finally, he let me talk him into getting a fun little gadget that looked like a compass with a hidden compartment. Perfect for playing spies. I practically had to make him choose it. He was really wanting that perfect treasure. I did appreciate that he didn't ask for everything he laid eyes on, though.

Any other garage salers out there?! What are your favorite finds?

I'll be watching the mail!

Well, I finally made the jump and bought some Copic markers. I bought the Copic Ciao style. I found them on eBay, my favorite shopping haunt, and got them for 2.18 each, including shipping! I couldn't get them for any cheaper than about $4.20 at Hobby Lobby (that's when they're 30% off).

Why did I want Copic markers, you ask? Well, check out these blogs and their amazing cards and you'll see why I was drooling over Copics.

* Debbie (Thinking Inking) was very helpful when I e-mailed her a few months ago to ask what Copics even were. I had heard of them on quite a few of the stamping blogs I enjoy, but I didn't know what made them better than any other stamping marker. You'll have to scroll down a bit on her blog to get to some of her cards.

*Also, Taylor (Taylored Expressions) has lots of fun cards with images that have been colored in with Copics.

I looked on eBay and they were only slightly cheaper than I can get them here. So, I waited and kept searching for them. There were a few auctions before the one I finally won, but I was determined to pay less than $3 each. So, I was patient. And, when I began looking on eBay, the timing was great because I had a small rush of sales in my etsy shop! I don't know what it was, but I had a little rush (yay!) and it gave me the money for the markers. So, then I really started looking.

And, I got lucky and won a set of 35 today. I can't wait to get them and play with them. I am so not an artist, but lots of non-artists use Copics and with great results. So, I'm excited and I'll be sure to post some cards... once I get the hang of what I'm doing!

Valentine's Day Crafts

I've been working on a Valentine-themed project for something for church and it got me in the mood to make Valentine-y stuff. Here are some things I have listed on etsy.

Party Favor Boxes with handles




A milk carton-shaped box that can be filled with goodies and given away


Heart-shaped tins that can be filled with M&M's, red hots or any other candies


A little of everything


I looked all over etsy for party favors, just because I was curious if anyone else was selling them and I didn't find many options. So, I hope that means that these will be popular. I enjoy making different things with my multitude of scrapbooking supplies. These were all fun to make!

Marble Magnets

I love making the marble magnets I sell in my etsy store and at craft shows. They are simple (although there are a few steps) and they are just so neat! The glass marble magnifies the image underneath and it just looks clear and crisp.

Marcie (who is 1/2 of my favorite singing group, 40 miles North) asked how I make them. So, I thought I'd give you my long, detailed description. I discovered this fun idea on FamilyFun.com.

So, here we go!

Like the article says, trim your images before you glue them on. I've seen people say glue it and then trim the excess off, but it looks terrible on the back and warps the image!

So, you'll have your images already trimmed and the marble picked out for each image. Then I use a dab of tacky glue on one image, press it onto the glass marble and then move the image around to get the glue all over. Let it sit for a short while (like maybe while you do a few more).

Then, while the glue is still slightly wet, press around the edges to mold them to fit the edge of the marble. (Do circles have edges?) That makes all the difference! If you don't do this step, the image won't sit flat on the marble and it won't look as good.

Then glue your magnets to the paper on the marble. I use tacky glue and it's always been strong enough. You can buy small magnets at Wal-Mart (10 for $1.10-ish) or super strong neodymium magnets from eBay (like I do), if you plan to make a lot.

Here are some extra ideas:
* consider the colors in the kitchen of the recipient, if giving them as gifts
* decorate an altoids tin (rectangle or circle) for a teacher and put a set of magnets inside--once the magnets are on her/his filing cabinet, they now have a holder for small odds and ends
* use magazine images
* use symbols from an old map/atlas
* use small photos (really small...)
* type names, silly words, etc up on the computer in a small font
* do a few for each child in their favorite color(s) and let them hang their artwork on the fridge--when they use up all their magnets, they have to take off old artwork to hang new (sneaky, eh?)
* use left-over wrapping paper to make holiday magnets you pull out each year
* glue a thumbtack to the back instead of a magnet and let Dad take to work
* glue a thumbtack to the back and let kids use to hang up pictures of friends/schoolwork (on a bulletin/cork board)

If you give these as gifts, you can put them in a tiny ziplock bag (you can buy 100 tiny craft zip top bags at Hobby Lobby for about $2 or less). If you're really ambitious, you could make a topper to decorate and staple to the top.

Let me know if you make some! I'd love to see pictures!

Christy's Teacher Gifts

My sister, Christy, and I came up with a great teacher gift for Christmas a month or so ago. She wanted small gifts (because she needed 9!), but more than just a card or gift card.

So, this is what we came up with. I made magnet sets that matched the paper she chose and I figured out a way to attach the magnets to the cards. The teachers can just pull the ribbons in the middle and the magnet set will come off. They still have a card that they can keep and the magnets are a useful gift.

Someday, when I have spare time, I think I'll make sets to list on etsy. They're unique and inexpensive. Christy had Josh dictate a letter to his teachers telling his favorite things about their classes and she added a short note of her own. Very personal and thoughtful.