Filth flarn flarn, Filth

I was going to attribute that statement to Bill Cosby, but I think it was actually Eddie Murphy doing an impression of Bill Cosby LOL

Anyway that's what my house was the last couple of days. I was really sick with some kind of flu, and in those two days, my house took on a life of its own. The dust bunnies must be more like dust rabbits, because they multiplied. The pile of dishes in the sink seemed to have hit puberty, it just grew and matured over night. Seems like just yesterday that it was just a tiny pile of cups *sniffle*

I was really suprised that they all weren't naked and starving when I was able to get moving again. Funny how no one notices how much you do until you don't do it ;D

I wanted to post some pictures of my new stuff, but I am having camera problems (again!!) so here are a couple of my kids bedrooms. My daughter, the baby and only girl, had to have a princess room. She has stuck wallies stickers over parts of it now, but this is the basic idea:






My son Brendan's room was a Harry Potter theme. We did it about 5 years ago, and its Liam's room now, and he would like to change it to a skateboard room. This is the closet




Have a great day all, make sure to pop over and see Lori at the Faerie Window (side bar under awesome blogs) she's having an amazingly adorable and cute giveaway!

Thoughts of collections

I was never really a collector. My Grandma, however was, she collected salt and pepper shakers. As a child, I spent a lot of time with her, and got to know her collection pretty well. Some of them, like the dutch boy and girl on a bench, she would let me take out and play with. I wasn't allowed to mention that to any of my cousins, it was our secret.

When Grandma died, in 1998, my mom got the salt and peppers. We were in the middle of a kitchen remodel, and she didn't have room for them, so my husband left the wall of the dining room empty. We put Gram's cabinet there, and seeing the collection together again was so great. Here are a couple of pictures of her collection, now in my home





The first picture is the left side, and the second is the right side. My teapot collection is now on top of Gram's salt and pepper collection :)

Batteries Required (booooo!) and a Sweet Suprise!

Well, the kid-goblins did it again. My camera only has one battery. No one seems to know how this possibly could have happened. Hmmmm, its a mystery alright ; I have two WIP's that are nearly finished, and I got a great treat in the mail too.

I went outside to take Annalise to school, and yippee, a package, that says Lisa Kaus Art Studios *happy dance* I can't take a picture of it *sniffle* but here is the one that I purchased:



The picture doesn't do it justice, and she sent me the cutest little card, and the whole thing was wrapped so nicely, it felt like Christmas! She is a helluv an artist, I love this piece :D :D

Anyway, my daughter has 8 days of school left. She only goes 3 days a week, and those 2 hours are my working time, as my other kids are in school too. Back to working nights again, I guess. I don't mind working at night, because it is very peaceful, but at the same time, after giving to everyone in my family all day, sometimes I'm too tired to be creative. That's one of the only downsides about art, you can't just magically turn it on at will. When I used to do portraits, I could normally knock out a basic outline in under an hour, but there were times when I just couldn't draw to save my life. I think it shows in your work too, if you're tired or bored, so its difficult to be on top form at night.

Ever keep working, long past when you know you should have stopped, and end up just trying to put little fixes on your work, or just work on this one little area, and end up practically ruining it? I hate when that happens ;)

Well, I'm off to try to read some blogs before I have to go get the boys. Anyone visiting, have a great day!

Time flies by!

My kids have been on Spring Break at two different times, so I have not done much, or had any new pictures to show...til now! Miss Jamie talesfromtheterracottage.blogspot.com/ from the Terra Cottage sent me the sweetest package!! There were lots of adorable stickers inside, fairies, cupcakes, the alphabet, a supercute egg pick, and a lovely card, and OMG the cutest tags!!! Here are some pictures!


Isn't she the sweetest!! And she's talented too, she's got some really cute frames up today, check them out!!
Jamie, you made my day, thank you so much!!!!

Liam and Annalise's creations!

Annalise is my 5 year old dd. She is a girly girl, and loves to make things. We picked up the April issue of Martha Stewart's magazine, and there was the cutest little chick in a basket, so Annalise and I decided to break out the pipe cleaners and give 'em a whirl. She looks so proud!



This is Liam (6 yr old ds) making his easter crafts, he takes his work very seriously!

Happy Day!

I got the best delivery this morning from the mail lady! She brought me a package from the very talented Michelle Legler over at Mosaic Cottage (see link on the side under Awesome Blogs) Her work is unbelievable, and I am so happy to own a piece!!





I finished the baby gift last night, at last!! It was really fun to make, and the lady that bought it was really happy with it, and wants to order another piece, so that's wonderful.




Thanks again to Michelle, I can't stop looking at that adorable cupcake!!

Where does the time go?

That's my newest cupcaker, little Miss Bloo. I'm working on a few more, and doing a baby gift (ballerina bear) that has to be done by Friday. Its funny, now that I'm working a bit every day, and joined a gym, the hubby is complaining about the state of the house *insert raspberry tongue* ;) There's just not time for everything, and dinner is always made and the kids are clean, and I think that after being an at home mom for the most part of 13 years (since I was 21) I am entitled to a little me time. Who cares if the closets are dangerously overstuffed? Just don't open 'em! LOL

Two years ago was the best, because hubby started playing the drums, and I joined the Second City Training Center. Every Thursday, my Aunt Edie, cousin Lisa and I would go down to Piper's Alley, and do improv for 2 1/2 hours. I swear we met the neatest people, and we became like a family (not my Aunt and my cousin, we're already like family.) Our Improv group was called "Mud for your Turtle" and it was hands down the best experience I've ever had in my life. Getting to perform on the same stage that Chris Farley performed on was thrilling...anyway...

I love my art, and I've been waiting patiently for years to be able to work on it, but working at home is not the best, because when you are Mom, and you are home, it doesn't matter if you're busy. Oops. I think I just complained LOL Second City was nice because it was out of the house, and watching each other do scenes, every week we would just laugh until our sides hurt. Plus, the kids were already in bed when I got home...ah, the good old days!!

Well, I better get back to work. Peace out ya'll and Happy Monday!

Just listed on Ebay

If you do a search for paper mache lady, only three come up under folk art, one is mine. Blogger doesn't want to let me link, or you can copy and paste this addy

http://cgi.ebay.com/Paper-Mache-Sculpted-Lady-with-Meringues-OOAK_W0QQitemZ120100761056QQcategoryZ357QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem to have a look.





Here's hoping for better traffic than etsy :D

AND THE WINNER IS.........

My son Aidan just picked the two names out of the bowl...



The first one is for the 1/2 dozen cupcakes and he picked... POLKA DOT PIXIE!!!!

The second one is for the pair of cupcakes, and he picked... MIZ SMOOCHIE LIPS!!!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you ladies could email me at Oolagirl@yahoo.com with your mailing addresses, I will send them out asap :D Thanks so much for playing!!!


Thank you all who entered, this was so much fun, and thanks so much again to LisaOceanDreamer for thinking of this very cool contest!!!! I think the anticipation is half the fun. I have had a blast, and found many wonderful blogs that I would not have found otherwise!

More FAKE Cupcakes..ready to go!

Here is the second box of cupcakes for the Giveaway. I just realized that I never posted a picture! They are FAKE as well, the same as the first box, only there is just a pair of them inside this box. Looking forward to Tomorrow!!!!






I made this cake last night for husband and my (14th!) Wedding Anniversary. Anyway, it was so so so good. I have to share the recipe, which I found online at Traveler's Choice Internet Cookbook. I've never really made Red Velvet Cake before, except from a box once) This was too good to keep to myself.

Ingredients:
1 cup shortening (butter-flavored Crisco)
1-1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1 ounce red food coloring
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup buttermilk (not powdered)
2-1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Red Velvet Frosting:
5 Tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Cake: Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs. Make a paste with cocoa and food coloring; add to creamed mixture. Mix salt and vanilla with buttermilk and add alternatively with flour to creamed mixture. Mix soda and vinegar and fold into mixture. Do not beat. Bake in two 9-inch layer pans, greased and floured, at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

Frosting: Cook flour and milk until thick, stirring constantly. (This will be as thick as paste.) Let cool until cold. Cream together sugar, butter, and vanilla; add to cold mixture. Beat until the mixture is the consistency to spread. When finished, it is similar to the likes of whipped cream. It makes the cake!

(www.virtualcities.com)