(ahem..sings...)Merry Christmas baby!!!

Blogland is so slow these days, as all of us busy busy chickees are shopping and creating and hopefully having some fun!!

We took our annual ditch day (shhh, don't tell) and went to the Museum of Science and Industry. The Christmas displays are so beautiful, and we look forward to it all year.

This is the lovely Christmas tree that greets you in the main lobby



The Christmas trees from around the world are so much fun to look at too



My daughter Annalise's favorite is the Colleen Moore Fairy Castle...the details in this castle are just breathtaking, pictures cannot capture the magic in these tiny little walls






The kids have a great time at the Farm Exhibit, especially Annalise. They have a really neat set up, the kids can even plant their own veggies, and dig them up



Getting everyone to stand still in the same place is always a challenge






They are always nice and worn out by the time that we're done seeing everything


We had a great time. I have a bit more to do...I had a call the other night for a custom Rocking Chair from the kids' old school, and I don't have much time...finished baking lots of goodies yesterday, now just have to finish up the odd bits, and go to a party with my Mom tonight.

Hope everyone is enjoying the season, and lots of big wonderful Merry Christmas wishes to all of you out there

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

The most fun Holiday ArtShow!

This weekend was the show in Chicago, the Bucktown Holiday ArtShow, and it was just so much fun!! I will definately do this show again, and I am going to try for the Renegade Show next year as well. I met so many lovely people, and the artwork and goodies there were just out of this world. Here are a couple of photos of my booth





My cupcakes were a big seller, I came home with just a couple dozen left, and I had also made some tiny ones, and sold out! I am going to list what I have left on etsy today, and make some room in my studio for my valentine things.

Pat's cousin Carmel and my brother's girlfriend Mary Ann both helped me this weekend, they are just the most wonderful friends that anyone could ask for. These are my two angels


I even got the hubby to come in for a little bit, and help out
Here we are



Last but not least, we met a lovely fellow named Alex who was there with his wife
Inna's paintings, photos cannot do this work justice. The color in her work needs to be seen to be believed, she has such a sparkle and shine in addition to the unbelievably beautful subjects. I honestly cannot tell you how breathtaking these pieces were!! This is one of my favorites
Honestly, you have to see her work in person, it is just glorious!

Hope everone had a wonderful weekend!

The one where the swap goodies are!!

Where to begin?! Well, the goodies pictured above are from the lovely and talented Jenelle, of the Sleepy Hollow Craft Company. Jenelle was my partner in Monica's Deck the Halls Swap, and I couldn't have had a better partner! Not only is everything just wonderful, it was also early!! The pictures are not the best quality, because while I am able to post pictures again (YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!) I accidentally deleted my Photoshop (DUH!) so I need to reinstall it. For now though, I was just so happy to be able to post, that I wanted to share the treasures that I recieved from Jenelle.

My goodies for Jenelle are nearly done, and they will go out on the first, and I will post some pics of them as soon as they are mailed out :)

Science Fair is over as of yesterday, shark report is handed in, Cub Scouts Ceremony is over, and I really need to take some pictures of my Christmas goodies and post, I swear I have been going through blog withdrawal!

In more good news...hey, did anyone know that there are USB ports on the back of your computer? Neither did I!! All of this unable to print, Science Fair woes, printing at my Aunt's house....well, my Uncle Terry, who is a computer genius, mentioned that the USB ports in front are merely for convenience, and that there were two in the back of my computer. I swear, I muttered the curse word of all curse words (Only I didn't say fudge...) and low and behold, I coulda been printing all along!!! Slap my mouth and color me purple. Well well well. I didn't know whether to drop dead or dance!! So all is good again, we got the part for my oven (did I mention that it broke?) and we have a new and running dishwasher. Hot diggity!!!

Here is one more thing, I'm just going to add it in, its a shadow box type wall thingy (that's the technical definition LOL) that I painted and jazzed up. It started life brown, and here it is Frostings and Sparkled



Well, I am off to read some blogs, it feels so good to be back!!

xoxoxoxox

Now in my ETSY

Sadly I still cannot upload, but I have been making so much stuff for the Holiday ArtShow that I have decided to put a couple of things on Etsy. Now in my shop are:






I have so many goodies that I'm itching to share, I've been hitting the glitter like an addict, and it has been great! Hopefully I will be able to post pics again soon. Today the belt on my minivan broke, but on a brighter note, we got a new dishwasher :D So I can officially allow my family to eat again LOL

What a week! (or The one with the whine)

I had a show today (and tomorrow) and its been a bit hectic! I'm so excited for Tuesday, the kids will be back in school, and the first round of shows will be over, a good cuppa and some lovely blog reading is awaiting me!

All good things must come to an end, and so it happened with my USB port. The constant plugging and unplugging of the camera, iPod, and printer (by the not so little hands of my darling children) has taken its toll, and it has been completely pulled out of the computer. I have to take it in to the Geek Squad, as I can no longer print or upload (Just in time for not only my show, but also the Science Fair, arrrrrrrgh!) The Science Fair is like a full time job, so I will affectionatley remember this week as Hell Week, and I'm sure there is a very special place in heaven for mothers, where they hopefully they serve a good stiff margarita. Hey, at least I don't have to eat a live goldfish, there's always a bright side.

On top of that, we had relatives from Ireland visiting this week, which was absolutley fantastic, they are so much fun, and we don't get to see them nearly enough, but as I was cooking dinner for them, my dishwasher began smoking, and it turns out the control panel MELTED. When it rains, it pours, right? So dishes by hand, a big hole where my dishwasher should be until we get a chance to go get another one, and after my show tomorrow I'm hosting a jewelry party. I have 3 hours though between my show and the party, so hopefully I can pull it off.

I wish I could share some pics of my booth, because it turned out really cute, but it will have to wait. Can't wait to see all of everyone's new goodies, and to finish up my ornaments for the Deck the Halls swap!!

The one with the Cupcakes

WAHOO! I'm coming up to my 10,000th visitor!!! Please check my site counter at the bottom of the page, and let me know if its you, because you will win a prize!! Thank you so much for visiting me!!!


Today was cupcake day!! I have been putting them off for some reason, and I know I need at least 100 to bring to Bucktown, so today I got into Frostings and Sparkles mode. I enjoy making these so much, I don't know whay I always procrastinate with
them. Ah well :)








Some of these will end up as ornaments, and some will be put into F&S bakery boxes just for fancy-yum yums :D


These girls I made with some found boards, lots of paper, and glitter, I love them all, but doll is my favorite









Happy and safe Halloween to all!! xoxoxox

Happy Halloween!

Its funny...I LOVE Halloween. I love black and orange. Black and purple. Green and purple. Green and orange...I love witches and pumpkins, and candycorn...and I adore Glitterville's Halloween goodies. Love it all!

A few days before Halloween though, I am done. My son Brendan has a birthday on Oct.25th, and we usually have a Halloween party of some sort to commemorate it. This year we had about 15 kids, ages 12-14, for pizza, movies, waaaaaaayy to much sugar, and about 5 of them slept over. I'm so ready to move on to Christmas!

In the spirit of Halloween though, here are some pics from the party and my LIam and Annalise is their costumes :)













Ooooh, yeah...this is my brother Terry's girlfriend MaryAnn. SHe went as an 80's girl, I just love her costume!

The one where I'm SO glad to be back!

It is so nice to be sitting at the computer with a cup of coffee! My little monkeys have been taking turns being sick (and staying home from school...boo...) They were then off Friday for Teacher Institute, so I haven't had any computer time. Its great to be back, and have a couple of hours to myself again!

I've been just dying to blog about this...A friend told me about this new shop that opened in our neighborhood. She said that I would love it, and to check it out, that the stuff that they carry reminded her of my art. I walked in, and WOW, I wanted to live there. It is called The Hawk and the Butterfly and it is on west 111th street and Fairfield (if anyone out there is from Chicago/Mt Greenwood/Beverly.) They carry lots of gorgeous folk art, tables and tables of Bethany Lowe designs, lots of handmade goodies, and fantastic jewelry. I must have stayed for an hour, carefully going over every piece.

I first found this little crow, just so cute and wonderful (Joanna Parker...of course it's wonderful!) I greedily snatched it up to purchase, and then was struck by this adorable bunny. It was just the cutest, I had to have it, and when I turned the tag over, I was DELIGHTED to see the words...HipHopJingleBoo!! Of course I bought it, and I just luuuuuuuurve it!!



I did manage to get a little work done as well, and mailed out a few packages, here are my ladies Arden, Heloise, and Mathilde. They will make their debut at the Holiday ArtShow in Bucktown. Can't wait!

The one with the pictures of my new stuff :)

This was a thrift store find of a teddy bear house, that needed to be transformed


These are the cupcakes that are on the top of the Cupcakery piece


This is the cupcakery piece


These are some vintage glass ornaments that I found while thrifting, and it finally occured to me what I would do with them. I really love how they turned out!

The one where I exhibit ADHD

LOL I think many artists have just a touch of ADHD, I know that when I get overwhelmed, creating and being Mommy and Wife and Daughter, my poor little brain goes into overdrive. I always feel like no matter what I'm doing, I'm putting off doing something else that's more pressing.

Working on my art? Isn't there a Science Project due?

Making a nice dinner (with real potatoes instead of instant, LOL) Shouldn't I be washing uniforms?

Hosting the 9000th birthday party of the year in my kitchen? The kids all need to have a bath and be in bed in 45 minutes

I wonder what I'd do with myself if I didn't have 30 things to focus on...I'd probably sit and worry about what the heck I should do, and then end up doing nothing *giggle*

Anyhoo, I haven't been here in a week, I have missed out on so much goodness, yummy pictures, gorgeous artwork, I can't wait to visit everyone's blogs! I've been so busy creating for my show, and trying to get everything ready, butI've got my orders shipped out, my auction item is gone, and now I'm here :)

TAGGED TWICE!

Lovely Lucy from Sweet Repeats has given me the Nice Matters Award (sniffle) That was just lovely, Lucy has a gorgeous blog, her mixed media pieces are so spectacular, and she is a darling as well. Thanks hunny!!

In return, I tag LIZ, whose enchanting tutus, twirl skirts (OMG her twirl skirts) and DROP DEAD GORGEOUS purses make me so happy, and who is also having sweet baby #4! Brave girl!
I also tag SHANNON who is my darling friend, love her goodies, her cakes, her shabby chic style, she is just a love! Next we have TOOTIE She was the first person that I commented to in blogland, and the first to comment to me. She does just beautiful work, and is a great girl!


I was also tagged by Monica to do the Seven Random Things about me Here goes nothing!

1. I started dating my husband when I was 16
2. I love to sing, and act and dance!! I even keep karaoke CD's in my car
so that when I'm alone, I can sing!
3. I took improv at Second City (where all of my childhood idols started out) with
my Aunt Edie and cousin Lisa a couple of years ago. I have never had so much
fun in my life!
4. I have had Gastric Bypass surgery
5. I have HUGE feet, I wear a size 10, sometimes an 11!
6. I would rather make art than go out on the town!
7. My husband warns my kids not to stand still too long, "Or Mom will end up
painting you." LOL

OK, I tag my buds Michelle Legler, Mary Timme, Shelley , Laura and Aleta I always love reading what these awesome ladies have to say, and I look up to all of them.

Lots of pictures soming up, I've made 12 ATC's, a few dozen altered vintage ornaments, a few new cupcake pieces... Lots of random thoughts in this post!