Gettin' excited......

Had a wonderful weekend - well, 24 hours!  Went to Midway and attended the "SWISS DAYS CELEBRATION!"  Oh my goodness - so many things to see - it was almost overwhelming!  Had a great time with great friends!  Got lots if ideas for Christmas and crafts and home decor!  My head is spinning!  NOW, I just need some TIME OK a LOT of time and a LOT of money so I can do all that I want to do!  Can't wait to start on some projects though!  

Here is my first Halloween project for the season!  So excited!  

 In the "somewhat" dark....

In the light.... 

Bought the lantern from IKEA - $15 

Picked up ribbon from Taiwan Imports (2 kinds - 5 yards each) 

And fillers from the local craft store - 

It's amazing how quickly the "FILLERS" can add up- 

So, suggestion....

Watch for items to go on sale 

Look for things at a dollar store 

Give yourself time to pick up things when you can use a 40% off coupon.... 

I didn't plan very well - it was kind of a last minute decision to "CRAFT" while at our adventure to Midway - but - in the end - it all worked out... 

I also built everything around and on the "bow" so I can remove the bow and change it to fit the "season" - watch for my FALL - THANKSGIVING bow to follow soon - as well as 

my Christmas and Snowflake shortly after that....

Or as soon as I can muster up some energy! 

(Oh-my favorite thing - THE HAT!  SO CUTE! - You must have a hat!)

Happy Haunting!

Clarification: this was NOT a Swiss Day item - it was just an idea I had that I wanted to do - so I hurried to gather the stuff so we could all make one on our excursion! - So no worries - I didn't steal the idea from anyone at Swiss Days - at least not to my knowledge.... didn't see anything like it at all....

Problem Solved.....

With a house FULL of girls.... You find some STRANGE things.... in WEIRD places..... and then you can't find NORMAL things... and ANY of the right places.... 

 Which brings me to our latest... or should I say the ONGOING issue for YEARS now.... I know that you will be able to relate IF you have girls in the house....  They ALWAYS have TINY things.... Tiny elastics for little piggy tails.... then they advance to TINY little barrettes..... then come the BOBBY PINS... Honestly, I think WE alone have kept BOBBY pins in business for the past 20 years!  I have purchased WAY more than our fair share of BOXES - YES BOXES of BOBBY PINS... For a LONG time I thought they were EATING them!  Only to discover (on more than ONE occasion) that my MR. KIRBY was not really BROKEN  (it sounded like a helicopter taking off) after spending MORE than I should to take him to the repair shop.... just to find BOBBY PINS STUCK in the fan ....That is when I discovered they weren't EATING them... they just DROP them to the floor, never to be seen again because MR. KIRBY was EATING them and upon occasion, would cause him some great INDIGESTION! THEN... intermixed in the BOBBY PIN problem, they have BEGGED and PLEADED and BEGGED, BEGGED, BEGGED to get their ears pieced.... After going the rounds of "they are a lot of work, you have to take care of them, you need to put your earrings in a safe place.... blah blah blah.... (I soon learned after girl #3 that what I was saying was just going in one ear and coming out their mouth was the promises that NEVER really had a chance to "sink in"....)  Well, for one.... earrings were lost, earrings were repurchased.... Mr. Kirby has enjoyed a few earrings himself, with only to discover that he usually wanted only ONE... leaving us with many SINGLES hanging around) and TWO.... I'm tired of "piercing" my feet (or my knees) with the OTHER single earring.  The excuse would usually be... "But mom, I put them on the table on top of ....... "  Which translates to YOU  left them laying on something that gets swiped off the counter in your hastiness to get out the door, only to "FLING" those cute little earrings into the fibers of the carpet which IF they weren't discovered by MR. KIRBY (the vacuum) they are found in MY bare feet! AGH!!!!!... Well, this mom has had enough! (and honestly, who am I really kidding.... like this is REALLY going to solve the problem.... I know~it won't, but for now.... it makes me feel a little better..... and that's what is counting today :)) 

I went to LOWE'S and purchased a sheet of decorative sheet metal - I think it is used typically as a "radiator" cover.... 

I took a old frame I had laying around, re-painted it and then measure, cut with tin snips (yes... my MR. has EVERY tool imaginable.... and usually 3 or 4 of them!  That's for another day....) 

Placed the sheet metal in the frame... VERY carefully of course - (that stuff is SHARP!) 

Tacked it in with some little "brads".... (and yes! Sometimes they were BRATS because my fat fingers had a heck of a time holding them while trying to hammer them in with a HUGE hammer head too!  Nail gun would probably work much better... and yes I have one of those too - but was too lazy to go a lookin' for it.... and I just wanted this project DONE!)

And WAH-LAH! .... now there is a PLACE for all those earrings.... 

just one problem... doesn't work really well on the the "post" style earrings.... 

still thinking on that one... 

But for now ~ I'm hoping to find LESS SINGLE earrings hanging around.... 

AND... I have 2 more to make.... Can't wait to get the next one done... It is a "necklace, bracelet & earring holder.... I hope it works out like it is in my head... :)  

Well, off to the next project....

OR.... feed the wild Indians.....

I just couldn't resist.....

A co-worker has been gone.... 

for 2 yes TWO LONG weeks to .... HAWAII.... none the less!

RUDE! :)

I mean really.... 

She sent me this .... 

with the message...

I'm enjoying every minute and relaxing...

I feel so bad for her... NOT!  :)

While I was driving home in this..... 

NOT relaxing and NOT enjoying every minute! 

SOOOOoooooOOOOOO.....

I made her this...... 

ALOHA!  I mean  

BBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Welcome home! 

I asked her to bottle up some SUN and HEAT!.... 

I wonder if she did.....

(Note: That is not the EXACT picture she sent me - I can't download if from my phone... but it's pretty darn close.... and that is NOT a picture of the storm I was driving home in... I was driving... I couldn't take a picture... but it too, is pretty DARN close!)

HEY!! I just had another idea....

This would be a FUN neighbor gift....

For Christmas of course!  

Geeze - I'm so smart!!! LOL!!! 

Feelin' Lucky?.....

It's time to roll out the LUCK!!!

And HEAVEN knows! I could use some luck!

I just may have to "make" some LUCKYETY- LUCKY stuff for every room ...

 but here is a start... We'll see just how it works...

Anyone else feeling "LUCKY"...???

Wanna send some over my way???

 

 This little IRISH LUCKY was made from 2x4 scraps.... 

I'm really liking the 2x4 crafty things.... 

I love ST. PATRICKS day! 

And this year... I'm going to get a great big HEAD start....

BECAUSE! Those DARN little LEPRECHAUN people they make such a MESS 

around my house... But this year! I am determined to catch them! 

hee hee hee!!!  

Consider yourselves warned Little Lepy guys! 

WARNED! ;)  

A couple years ago they left their little GREEN foot prints 

ALL

OVER

THE 

HOUSE! 

Everywhere I turned I saw little "GREEN FEET"... 

EVERYWHERE!  

 They came in the front door......

 

Through the entry way.....

  

OH.... trying to be so sneaky... and RUN through the family room....

  

Into the kitchen.... 

I SEE GREEN EVERYWHERE!!!! 

 

And bless their little hearts FEET!... 

ALL OVER THE COUNTER TOPS! 

Ok! Ok!  They left some coins too! 

 

BUT STILL! 

They left a MESS!!! 

Those darn little guys! 

(oh they will THINK! They better wish for IRISH luck this year! :))

Here we are... 

FOLLOWING those little feet.....

Getting up close and personal with those little feet....

 And gathering the GOLD and the end of the MESS! rainbow....

 Thank goodness I had a little helper! 

Bless her little heart! 

I wonder what they will do this year..... 

HMMM..

I better go get prepared! 

OH! If you are LOOKING for some great ideas... 

Be sure to visit this "LINKY PARTY!"  

Great stuff!!!

Just a few other projects hanging around.....

A few yard signs... 

(Still working on the rest of the year - but here are 2 months) 

Only I don't put them outside, I have a platter pot in my entry way inside...

This way they don't get weather worn.... 

JINGLE ALL THE WAY!

 LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! 

 This was just "something" fun I tried to make out of some scrap fabric.

I was going to make the TREE out of wood, then decided that maybe I should try some fabric...

just for something different - I used "wonder-under" (Iron on pellon) to attach the fabric strips for the tree and star - This ended up being a gift tag on a large gift... kinda fun! 

I think I'll take a few other patterns I have for wood and make some fun festive pillows... maybe for each holiday - I've discovered that "pillows" add a fun texture to my shelves. 

 Like these fun "PUMPKIN" pillows that I made for my kitchen shelf... 

The best part is - CHEAP! 

I found remnant pieces of fabric for under $1 and then added some ribbon, raffia and beads I had on hand.

I love my lil' pumpkin pillows!

 

 Then again... I just love PUMPKINS! 

Like these CHUNKY Pumpkins 

made from a 2x10 and then a cedar fence post cut to fit and nailed on the front, to give it dimension... 

found a small branch along the side of the road, added ribbon, raffia, beads and leaves (I found a package of leaves at the dollar store - and I LOVE my leaves - so a package of them is even better!)

 

Then, I've been working on some crocheted dish clothes...

Have you ever used one? IF you have and IF you do... you know what I mean when I say...

"You can't live without them!" 

I HATE store bought dish clothes now! 

And apparently my married children do too! 

Because they keep disappearing out of my drawer! 

(and my son is one of the BIGGEST culprits! hee hee hee!!! ) 

SO.... guess what HE is getting for Christmas this year! 

PLUS.... they work great for wash cloths too... and for cleaning the bathroom....

and apparently they work wonders for washing cars! 

BOYS! He is getting a BUCKET full! LOL!!! 

To make it easy, I do solid white for cleaning the bathrooms (this way I can BLEACH them!), I use the mixed-variegated  colors for the kitchen dish cloths and solid colors for wash cloths and then.... BLACK & WHITE variegated for vehicles! That way there is NO missing them up!

 Then.... 

making sets of 12 dish towels that hang on the range handle....

FUN! But ... seems to be getting a little more difficult and expensive...

I think everyone is doing them now and that has just BUMPED the price up on the towels... :) 

Oh well... still fun!

They make GREAT wedding gifts too! 

The married kids have a set - but I'm afraid I need to make a few more to put away for my not yet married kids... they are getting a little envious that the "married" kids are getting fun things! WHO KNEW this was FUN! :)

JEalOuS kids!  :) 

I better start hunting for some towels...

If you run into any - let me know! 

(Of course I like a DEAL!)

Well - that's it for now -

Starting to get the VALENTINE projects going...

My family is feeling very JIPPED that everyone else gets the "homemade" stuff - so... guess I better start paying attention to those that still preside under this roof! LOL! 

Happy Crafting Everyone! 

Well..... It's over....

For a little bit.... 

I'm just taking a week off - then I'm hitting it hard - and by DARN! I'm going to reach my goal this year... well in 2012 that is! 

Here is a peek of what I spent the last 2 months doing ... while sleeping on average 3-4 hours each night - 

and in between hospital stays / visits / home nursing / working full time / doing homework and attending basketball games ..... and being a mom... sometimes fixing dinner, doing laundry and cleaning the house...

I thought I had taken pictures of the "garage" and "kitchen table" during all this... but they are no-where to be found... that's probably just as well.... it would stress me out to have to see them I'm sure! LOL! 

Being that I do a homemade Christmas (for nearly everyone on our list) 

.... although it is really fun ... it is exhausting as well!  

BUT.... I have chosen to do it that way... and the reason being.... 

Well, let's just say, I do not like having a PRICE tag attached to my gifts!  

Simple as that... 

I like to put thought into my gifts and I really like STRESS!  :)  

It's true! I do so much better under stress!  

BUT.... I don't work nearly as fast as I use to - so thus the reason why my Homemade Christmas WILL be done by Oct. 31, 2012!!!  I'm so super excited too!!! I love setting goals! I love CHECK lists!!!! 

(I'm already making my list for next year - and we haven't even drawn names yet!) 

Anywho...

Here is what I was loosing my sleep on..... 

My married kidos are always complaining that they don't have any "decorations"... so... I decided to help them out - my goal... to have SOMETHING for every month... but... I didn't quite get there - but I did get REALLY close!  

Here is January 

 Baby! It's cold outside!

 

  

(I just LUV this little guy!!!)  

February 

BE MINE!

 and 

XOX!!! 

Lots of HUGS and Kisses!!!

March...

Feelin' a bit LUCKY are we?!?!?

and then...

APRIL! 

 EASTER!

  

 And of course we have to have a little 

CHICK....

 and a BUNNY too!

 I made these blocks "flip-able" 

(is that a word?) 

One side is EASTER 

and the other is 

SPRING! 

Which HOPEFULLY will take us right into MAY!

 I drilled a hole in the "I" to add the umberella,

but it comes out when using the blocks for EASTER

Then into JUNE.....

(and my ANTS are still in progress...the pesky little things!)

Then JULY! 

 I have 3 fireworks that go with the flag... 

but... where did they go???? 

I already did the OCTOBER blocks

And then... at the last minute decided to make these for December...

I think these are my favorite! 

 A "chunky" nativity

The 3 Wise Men

Angel

and...

 Baby Jesus. 

The nice thing about these... they don't break! 

I can't tell you how many nativities I have had through the years and they always end up "broken" ... and not always because of little curious people around :) 

THEN.... 

I had 3 of my nieces for Christmas as well ... 

And again... I was going for a entire year - but due to all the "EMERGENCIES" going on around here... 

I only accomplished these.... 

Sorry girls - maybe next time it will go better.... 

 I just LOVE these little 

"SNO-CUBES"

(I know... some of them look a little angry!...

Heck - you would be too if you were that cold! RIGHT!?!?!)

Then I made a SIMILAR "XOX" for February 

I was trying to get a "CHUNKY" heart done... 

But didn't quite get to them either... 

Talk about CRAZY! 

I hope that they liked them.... 

And now for the SAD SAD PART.... 

I didn't get ONE THING done for me! 

Agh... you feeling sad for me??? :) 

Now, I just have to do August, September and November... 

BUT there are a few others I'd like to do for December as well, 

and I'm SURE that they won't complain if I do.... 

Well.... time for bed.... 

Sweet Dreams everyone! 

Be sure to visit Making Christmas Count as we get ready to count down to Christmas 2012!

Aren't you sooooo excited!?!?!?!