Face Painting and Parties!

Sure is tough to be a working girl!! Between work, and planning my boys' Graduation and First Communion parties, and now face painting at the school carnival, I am a busy girl!

This Sunday we are having the party, my son Aidan is graduating from 8th Grade, and my son Liam made his First Communion. One big party is much easier than having two. Aidan is excited, because he is getting a new guitar, and he will be playing at his party with my brother Tim's band. How cool is that!!

Last night was the first night of the school Carnival, and I face painted for a couple of hours, which I will do again tonight, and tomorrow. The kids are so cute, and they are so delighted to see a bit of fanciful splendor on their little cheeks.

Its going to be a busy busy weekend, but hopefully lots of fun too. Our internet and phone have been out for the last five days, and Comcast came out yesterday (for the second time in a month!!) and so far, so good...if I haven't responded to any emails, that is why, and I am back up and running (fingers crossed!!)

Have a great weekend, blogland!

And the winner is....

Number 17!!!

Scrappy Jessi!!!!!

Thanks everyone who played, and thanks for all of the friendship and comraderie that you've all shown to me!!!


My newest piece...I have a little bit of work to do on it, some pretty trim for the edges...but I'll show it anyway :D

My 100th Post!! That means a Giveaway!!

Wow, I can't believe it, 100 posts already. When I first started this blog, I wasn't sure that I had anything to say! I don't always have the most eloquent words, but I have certainly enjoyed getting to know so many wonderful people out there in blogland, there are so many lovely and creative folks with whom to share, get inspiration, and greatly admire.

Reading the various blogs in my sidebar is such a treat. Sometimes the eye candy goodies are almost overwhelming, that it's hard for my brain to take it all in!

It has been absolutley wonderful blogging, finding so many like minded folks, who share a passion, who understand and share the addled brain of one who lives in color and texture, LOL!

Anyway, for my 100th post, I am giving away an altered wooden house, called "Bakeshop" I made it today just for this occasion. It felt so good to have glue and paint all over my hands again!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. I will draw the winner on Friday, May 16, via the random number thingy.

As promised, some pictures of the goodies from the adorable Miss Laura, of the Little Orange Kitchen
She is so sweet, and these are so cute!! She even sent me some yummy organic peppermint tea, and the cutest magnet I've ever seen. Thanks again, Laura!! You made my day :D




Last, but not least, my sweet pair, Annalise her Daddy going to Father Daughter Dance. Aren't they cute :D

Trying to inspire myself

Time has been so limited, and I have not been creating nearly enough. I thought if I dug out some pictures of past goodies to remind myself that I need to get back into the groove. Art isn't a luxury, its a necessity, just like brushing your teeth, or doing laundry.
I'm entering a show in November, so my goal is going to be to create at least two new things a week, until then. Starting now :)

Also, I recieved the most wonderful suprise in the mail the other day from the adorable Laura, of Orange Kitchen fame. The absolute CUTEST magnet and post cards, and I have had a bit of overtime this week, so I've not gotten to share, but they are worth the wait, I assure you!! If you haven't been to Laura's blog yet, I encourage you to go, she makes the most whimsical (yes, I said it) wallets, and always has great recipes to share, plus her writing is so beautiful, that even if she said nothing, it would still be enjoyable to read! Pictures soming soon, and huge thanks to Laura!!

Lots of great Junque!

The Junque in my Trunque swap was great fun! I swear, since I've started working part time, swaps are one of the only ways that I can force myself to be creative. Friday is supposed to be "Art Day" as its my day off, but I don't seem to have it to myself too often.

The darling Elizabeth was my partner, and this was her first swap! I feel very fortunate to have been her partner, because look at all of the goodies that she sent me!
The box was so pretty that I was afraid to open it :D



It was HUGE too!! Love this girl!



Doesn't it look amazing!! Look at the cupcake, oooooh love it!!


Look at the cute little tin, and wow, there is just so much great stuff in here! The most darling vintage pink gloves, fabulous buttons, adorable cupcake picks...

The teapot box just bowled me over, it is the cutest little thing I've ever seen!!


Thank you so so so much, Elizabeth, I just adore it, and you really went all out. Beautiful stuff!!!

On another note, another Elizabeth, who happens to be my darlingest dearest cousin, has had the baby!!!!!!!! YAY, and welcome to the world, gorgeous Connor!!!!!!

I'm not going to give any details or show the picture, because I know Liz will want to do that herself (and he is supersupersupercute!!!!) but I know many of you have been waiting for news, and Mommy and baby are well!! I'm dying to talk to her, and I know she'll post a pic as soon as she gets a chance. Yay, Liz and baby Connor!!!

Swappin' is done!

Just mailed out a package to my lovely swap partner Tangee we were paired in Artsymama's Vintage Party Swap. I had so much fun making her goodies!! Also, have one package to send out tomorrow to Elizabeth, my partner in Heather's Junque in your Trunque swap. I recieved my box from Elizabeth already, and it made me squeal and clap, so fantastic!!!!!! I have pictures that I will post hopefully tonight, fab stuff!!

We also have a science project (another one!) that we started yesterday, we are doing the "growing crystals out of charcoal" expirament. We started it yesterday, and they're already growing!

Anyway, must dash, but I will have pics to post, and I have been working on some new cuppies for my shop, it is getting pretty empty in there, so I really need to fill it up with some goodies. Love to all!

I meant to post this a couple of days ago!!

I recieved the loveliest package on Friday from my fantastic swap partner, Tangee but I have been swamped, just crazy busy this weekend, and I didn't have the chance. Tangee was my partner for Artsymama's Vintage Party Swap, and she is such a doll! I am always amazed at these swaps, I've participated in quite a few, and I have yet to get a package that disappoints! It's almost like Tangee knew me, and I am so lucky to have her as a partner.
Check out these adorable sachets that she made! They smell soooo good and they are just so cute!!


This wreath of roses, OMG, so me!!!


The tiny cupcakes...the vintage postcard, and the supercute tin...Opening this package was totally an oooh and ahhhh moment!


Last, but certainly not least, an adorable tag, and (Prepare to be jealous) a hand made bracelet!! So girly, lovely, and just jaw droppingly gorgeous. Love it all, and just WOW!!


I am not as on the ball as Tangee, but am aaalmost finished with her package. This has been so much fun!! Thanks to Artsymama for hosting such a great swap :D

Oh my Goodies!! Easter Basket Swap

Today I recieved the lovliest Easter Basket from my swap partner, Dolly and it was loaded with easter goodness! I made sure to open it while the kids were occupied, because otherwise, I may not have gotten to take any pictures LOL




The basket itself has the cutest yellow flowers all over it, and it is positively darling!! Dolly made this gorgeous, scrumptious easter art, which is going on my wall, it is just the sweetest ever bunny girl, and my daughter already tried to make off with it...She also included a chipboard book, which I have been meaning to buy, so its like she read my mind :D :D



These gorgeous handmade tags made me giddy, they are so darling, and sparkley, and girly!! Love them to bits, and the candles made the whole box smell soooo good!!



She even wrapped the candies in the prettiest paper, with a delicate paper flower on the front of each one, and a sparkley little center. Too cute!! And the chocolate bunny was wrapped in vintage wallpaper, with the cutest paper trim over it, just exquisite. Love it to bits, Dolly, thank you SOOOOO much!!!!!!

And thanks to my pal Genevieve for hosting such a fun and wonderful swap!!!!

I posted a preview of the goodies that I made for Dolly, and here are the big piccies, LOL Here is the little sugared bunny, in his decorated basket/box


Here is the shadow box, so much fun to make!



Unfortunatley, I didn't take pictures of the basket I sent, I had strep throat and an ear infection, so I was in a hurry to mail it when I got better. I hope she likes it!

Received a goodie in the mail! And swapping...

There was fanfare...paparazzi all over my lawn, and very handsome young men trying to get a look in my mailbox. At her.
The "it" girl, the toast of the town, Miss BETSY! Isn't she gorgeous in her Hollywood finery? Brushing past all of the hoopla, I got her safely into my house, where she is resting happily and sipping a dirty martini. She seems relieved.

Seriously, she is just darling. Sadie Lou did a wonderful job, she is as cute as a button and I just love her!!
Thanks, Sadie Lou :D

I'd also like to welcome a new friend to blogland, Alecia is having a lovely spring giveaway!! Stop by and say hello, she has an adorable blog :)

I've been finishing up my goodies for The Easter Basket Swap, here is a sneak preview of the handmade part that I have been having the best best time working on.



Sparkles to all!

Awarded and Tagged, how sweet!!!!

I made this yesterday, along with a few things for my swap partner Dolly from From My Cherry Heart but I can't show those yet...they're a suprise :)

While visiting Genevieve's *aka* Bella Enchanted blog, I was happily bestowed upon the You Make My Day award...awwww!!! I thought that was so very nice, Genevieve is hosting the Easter Basket swap, and has lots of great stuff on her blog, thanks Gen!!!



In return, I would like to award (and if you've already gotten one, just know that you're double loved!):

Lori, Miss Faerie Window whom I adore, she is a dynamo and a fab artist, and I don't know how she finds time for all that she does!

Shannon Miss Paint Mine Pink who is my australian sister, and who is about to launch her new online store!

Michelle, Miss Mosaic Queen who is a darling, and hands down, the most AMAZING Mosaic Artist!

Ele, A Bit of Pink Heaven So sweet, and her blog and shop sends me into a frenzied pink delight! Eye candy galore, and such a sweetie too

Sadie Lou, Craftily Ever After from whom I just recieved my first Betsy ( I will post a picture) She makes the most darling goodies!!!

Jackie, Fat Jak Originals who is such a talented artist, a fellow Chicagoan, and visiting her blog makes my day!

Jenn, of Noodle and Lou who's art makes me want to own every single piece. When we move, that is the first thing I'm going to buy, she is just lovely!

Mere, These are the Days As sweet as can be, and a blog full of fantasticness!!

Karin at Creative Chaos who not only has gorgeous eye candy on her blog, but her writing has tested my bladder control on more than one occassion, so funny!!

Last but not least, Natasha Burns who not only is the sweetest person in blogland, but her site always has new goodies, sparkley bling, and so much eye candy, I am in awe!!


Also, I've been tagged by the wonderful Miss Rowan Willow, who is another amazing artist that I was lucky enough to find through One World One Heart, for 7 weird and random things...I'm totally weird and random, so this should be easy LOL...

1. I took improv classes at Second City...we rolled around on the floor, acted like chickens, played games, and put on a few shows! It was the best time I ever had, and our troop was called Mud for your Turtle :D

2. I once incited a riot, and got expelled from school. Great fun!

3. I have 9 half and step siblings, but technically am an only child. (Not nearly as Jerry Springer as it sounds, just expensive around the holidays LOL)

4. I love show tunes, my favorite word is fabulous, I love shoes, glitter, pink and I swear that I am a gay man trapped in a woman's body LOL

5. I once met John Cusack at a U2 concert. I was 14, and he was sitting in the seat in front of me. He kept turning around saying "I know I can make you smile!" When I saw "Say Anything" I almost died! That's the guy from the U2 Concert!!

6. When I was in 6th grade I had to skip in the door during a play. I fell flat on my face!

7. I wish big hair was still in style. It was so easy!

OK, I tag everyone from above that makes my day, unless you've already played.
Smoochies to all, think pink and sparkle!