Swappy Etcetera

I'm diving back in to the world 'o swaps with the Fabric Printing Swap on Craftster.
I hope to be awesome enough to post about my experiments with that, as I'm sure whatever I try won't work the first time.

Recently it's been taking requests for me to get crafting, and other than a mobile for my cuzzie, I haven't done much. I do have a few things lined up that aren't requests, but I'm such a procrastinator, and without a deadline, they'll never get done.
I did recently wander to Webs, which claims (and by all appearances, is) the worlds largest yarn store.



That was an adventure. Not only am I uninitiated to knitting and such, but I was attempting to find a yarn that would be suitable for a specific project for my Aunt. Hopefully I succceeded, but at the very least, I thought it was gorg!

Rainbow Head

Yesterday I went in to get my hair cut.  It's been a while since I've done much of anything to it and I figured I needed to find someone to trust here, so the best way is to just dive right in, Right? 
I ended up with a tri-color look that I would give a 7 or 8, and no discernable cut, all while spening about 3 times as much as I had planned. But the great thing to come out of it was the feeling of having someone else to blame if my hair looks bad.  I know that sounds pretty stupid, and maybe it is, but when I have to cut and/or color my hair myself I really stress out. Aside from the lack of formal training I've had in the field of cosmetology, there are the obvious drawbacks of not seeing your whole head and only two arms.  Add those to my inability to make a decision and it's just a bad idea to DIY.
So even though I"m not completely thrilled by my cut (that I was charged for but can't tell happened) or myt color, it's okay.  It wasn't my fault, and besides- it'll grow out.

Christmas Swap I'm hosting!

I am hosting a Christmas stocking swap over on Swap Bot! - below is the swap as listed on that site- it's free to join and if I've swapped with you before (even if you have no swap bot rating) you can join!

Christmas Stocking Profile Specific


Swap Homepage: http://pookalakachicka.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-swap-im-hosting.html


Swap Coordinator: Sezouli (contact)


Swap categories: Accessories Bath & Body Seasonal

Location: Regional - US


Type: Type 3: Package or craft


Rating requirement: 4.90 (unrated swappers allowed)


Last day to signup/drop: November 15, 2011


Date items must be sent by: December 9, 2011


Number of swap partners: 1


Description:


I can't get enough of stockings and stuffers during Christmas! This swap is for a full size stocking (handmade or store bought) that you fill with items all relating to your (1) partner's profile. I realize that some people have somewhat skimpy profiles, and I will drop them from the swap if there's not enough info- just make sure to fill it in! I also know that some people (myself included) like LOTS of information so please send messages with additional questions and such to your partner if you'd like more info. These types of swaps usually take more time to do because you have to search for recipient-specific items, but I want to make sure that we can get these items in the post so they arrive in time for Christmas. Because of this and the cost of postage, this is a US only swap. Your stocking and items should fit and fill a medium flat rate USPS box (you don't have to use one, this is just a guideline) and cost $10 or so without postage. I know this is fairly inexpensive, but I think that with some creative purchasing/making we can all do a great job! Handmade items are welcome as long as your partner's profile doesn't state otherwise, and the same goes for thrift store items. The swap is only open to those with a 4.9 or above, with at least 5 type 3 swaps, and most newbies aren't allowed. (only if you have swapped and been rated before on another site like craftster) I know that's pretty harsh, but I've been flaked on many times and want to insure it doesn't happen to anyone!

I've joined some other swaps for Christmas on this site too! Here are some of the great ones I'm in:
Handmade Christmas Stocking Full of Goodies
Christmas Stocking Swap
Felt Christmas Decorations- Handmade
Christmas Flat Rate
Christmas Stocking in the Mail

If you're not a member of this, but you're into getting happy snail mail, I'd suggest it!  There are a lot of swaps, and for all kinds of tastes.  I would suggest that after a couple, you stick to the ones that have strict entry requirements so that theres a smaller chance of being flaked on. I've had that happen (once on Swap Bot and once on Craftster) and it really sucks!

Love this quote- it fits me to a T.

When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, Leap! ~Cynthia Heimel


Also, I just heard the doorbell, so my new book must be here...
101 Gourmet Cake Bites
Hooray!

Floors and Feet.

I am not quite sure how it happened as I'm not yet convinced that it's even physically possible, but I think I re-broke a tiny foot bone while battling the floor in the craft room. I'll just give it a few days and see if it gets better, because last time I did it and went to the ER- they bandaged it up with a sports wrap and told me to take it easy.  Thanks for that captain obvious and lieutenant way-too-freakin-expensive-for-that-advice.
So I will keep an eye on my own Craft Floor War injuries.
However, I have come out on top as the floor is now in and it's only a matter of edging it out to make it look decent. Now the huge task of unpacking craft boxes needs to be accomplished, as well as the moving and assembly of the two heaviest cabinet-type pieces of furniture I've ever encountered. They'll offer loads of crafty storage, but crapdiddly they are of titanic weight proportions.
I will be posting pics later, but not until it's decent looking enough that I'm not embarrased.
Also, Melissa Bailey, you know you're the only one reading this (unless you have given up on my blog, which I can't really blame you if that's true) so you better call me this weekend!

Under Corn Struction

My new craft room is undergoing changes before I can establish myself, so why not revamp this situation as well?  It's happening......

Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market!

I met so many crafters of awesomeness this weekend- here they are in no particular order...
DeadWilder - Beautiful drawings made into prints and jewelry.  I am in love with the octopus print.
HotButter - Had awesome bags and wallets.  I ended up going back for one at the end of my time there because I just couldn't shake it!
JanuaryJonesPrints - I bought a print similar to this one, and a few postcards of awesomeness.
I also got to see the awesome Kelly Cook, who's shop I adore. I got this in card form, and these - both of which will be in the mail to a certain someone soon.
Kelly was there with Betony Coons of GraySparrow where I got a large and tiny print of this, a tiny one of this, and a large one of this - which is going to hang in my new craft room!
Planet Ogie had some awesomeness, as did: Debbie Clapper, Elevated Scraps, Bitter, Fern & Sprout and Cheryl Patrick.
Yummers drinks at ModesTea...
And Snacky goodness from Cake Denver - I got snickerdoodle cookies that I loved.

All in all it was a fan-freakin-tastic time.

Etsy Craft Party 2011

I am taking the dive and hosting the Greeley Etsy Craft Party 2011!  I can't wait to meet some new people and make crafty things and have a great time.  I'm nervous (like anyone who doesn't have any friends) that I will be the only one there and I will be doing group activites all by myself. -"and the raffle goes to.... Cheryl- and it's the thing Cheryl made for the raffle. Congratulations self!"
Also, I was consedering shipping friends out just for this occasion, but even then we'd only have 3.  So off I go to email any and all Etsy users that live in Greeley, and to think of other ways to invite people!

Getting back in it.

That is it. I've had it with the lack of activity on my part, and if I don't start crafting soon, I"m going to kick my own ass.

BLOGLOVIN!

Follow my blog with bloglovin

I LOVE...

Etsy. I can't go look around without finding a thousand things I wither want or want to make myself.

Like...

this embroidered necklace,

this incredible journal,

this ring, and

this adorable print.


I need to get back in the swing of things.

HOMES

So this saturday we are off to officially begin our home-buying adventure.  I've gotten a lot of advice on what not to do, and hopefully we'll be able to find an awesome house without too much trouble. 
As for my crafting, I haven't been actively doing any yet this year, but I have been reading up a storm. The next crafting venture I dare to take is PMC, but since we need all of our disposable income for house related costs right now, I'm reading up on techniques and designs using PMC. If anyone out there has ever used it and would like to throw some advice at me, please do!  Although I consider myself somewhat talented in the crafting arena, I think I have the potential to make big mistakes with this!

Crafts and Health Insurance.

OH dear. I find myself once again on the phone in an effort to clear up issues with my insurance.  I feel so bad for the people who's job it is to deal with us unruly insured individuals. I try to be extra nice, even though inside I feel like punching someone because I get a bill for 1,124.82 that was supposedly covered....
*deep breath*
so I will do my time and spend what is already half an hour on the phone and then I will Craft.
Perhaps today I need to make some little plush animals that have cute googley eyes and tiny noses. They can take me to my happy crafty place.

It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme- that's right on time.

Not sure why I'm having old school flashbacks.  I was in a construction mood yesterday and completed 4 new things of awesomeness, though as usual, I have run out of patience by the time it's time to take a picture, so they don't look so awesome.
First I made a new necklace display for me

then a similar necklace display for a fellow crafter

they're just upholstered and hinged plywood. Super cheap and easy, but I think they look nice.
And I made a ring display,

This was a piece of styrofoam that I dug channels into, then used the hot glue gun to cover with the velvet. 

And finally, my little tree that I'll use to hang my stockings and purses on

All of the wood for all pieces was maybe total $7. I have found that Home Depot has a scrap or "cull" wood section at the back of the store and I raided it, each piece there is only 51 cents! All in all, I"m pretty thrilled with my cheapy displays.

I have also been crafting, and my favorite thing I have made has to be this stocking,

I took old sweaters that had holes in them and cut around the holes to make stockings!  This one is the prettiest becuase of the sweater pattern (at least I think so) and if I didn't already have a highly awesome Simpsons stocking that my honey got me, I'd be tempted to just keep this for myself!
On another Christmasey note, I have pretty much fully decorated my house.  Poor Tim has to live with this holiday for a full 2 months.  He's wonderful.

This is the tree I have in my "library" I've already decorated it, and the second tree is in my living room, and I have yet to fully decorate that one...

But I am in love with the colored LED lights, they're so bright!

I also have decorated the mantle, with stockings for ALL of the family, the three pups each have thier own.

Yep, that's my homer stocking, and Tim has the steelers. 
Now, I was all set to insist on a real tree this year, but the green one above was FREE.  I found it on Craigslist and expected it to be smaller and crappy, but it's awesome.  So I have cedar scented oil to fool me into the Christmas spirit. Plus that way I don't have to vacuum needles. :-)

I'm off to craft, I have to finish everything, and I have PILES of things sitting here to finish!  I have a swap to mail on Saturday as well as the holiday craftular at the Atlas Theatre here in Greeley that I am super excited about. Wish me luck peeps!

Welcome November!

The leaves are falling and the wind is chilly and this is my absolute favorite time of year!

As I sit here drinking my tea and working on some pieces of jewelry, I am overwhelmed with overwhelmeyness. I have a smallish craft show in just 4 days, and I feel like I am so totally not prepared for it. At all. In the least.
So this should be a short blog because I should stop typing and concentrate on the crafting.

In exciting news, my sister is coming to visit me in 9 days, and I'm really pumped/excited/happytacular/whoohooadoodley about it. You should be too.  Not because you'll get to see her, but because you just should. Yeah.

Also, if you are on Facebook, you know that it's officially Christmas season for me, and I am going to start decorating immediately. The fall stuff is coming down and the winter stuff is goin' up, and I couldn't be happier about it. Soon the stores will join in with my joy and start putting up Christmas displays and all of you naysayers that say nay to early Christmas celebrations, BAH! I LOVE this season and any excuse to make it last longer is a good one to me.

Oh yes, this is happening right now...  I have christmasified my window in front of the computer where I do all this typing, and it is lonely, so I need to get in gear and christmasify some more things.
I promise to post updates, and you have to promise to like it.

SUCCESS!-(I couldn't post this before, But it's here now!)

I can't believe I actually did it, but three projects done!
The first has no picture because I forgot (DUH) but are the rings I had an order for through Etsy.  Done, packed and ready to mail!
The second project is my MIL's stocking,

It's made from a felted sweater and a felt reindeer.

Then my last project was one that I wasn't sure would work, but I hope to sell these ornaments...

at the Atlas Craft Show that I'm in come November.  I will have to tinker with the design a bit, and also I need to make/buy a small tabletop sized tree so I can display them.



_____________________________________________________________________________


Since writing that post, I have signed up for ANOTHER craft show, also here in Greeley.  I hope I don't lose my mind before it starts!
it's here at
Zoe's Coffeehouse
On November 5th in the evening.

Poor malnourished bloggy!

I have a second crafty show coming up, and I also have a whopper of a swap to finish, and those are my excuses for not blogging.  Also, I am not feeling very clever. (What, you say?  The ones I have written were supposed to be clever? Well, you can shut it. How's that for cleverness? Huh?) 
SO
Here is the new incredible show of awesomeness and fabulosity

Atlas Winter Show

(This is some of the work of artists that will be there, my thing is the purse)

It looks like it is going to be soooooo awesome, and I can't wait.  But I seem to be waiting a LOT to start on my new holiday themed stuff, and that's just no good.  I hope to accomplish no less than 3 projects tomorrow, and blog about them.  Also, I have mentioned that on Facebook, so now I'm putting it out there so I have a sense of obligation to do it. Hey- self motivate however you can, right?

Also, I have been informed by the crafty masters of craftularity that I need a website. Thus begins what I'm sure will be a long process of setting one up. yay.

Copper gOODIES

So my newest temporary obsession seems to be copper.  It's beautiful, strong, and complicated.

I hope to expand on my capabilites- But I have never been one to shy away from a challenge, and I fully intend to learn all I can before this gives way to whatever whim I have to act on next.

Fall!

So I have been busy immersung myself in all things fall lately.   Anything pumpkin, apple cider, baking, leaves, and the beauteousness of autumn colors.  Simce I haven't bloggulared in a while, here are a couple fall-ey things!

This is for my sis, she doesn't have a fall wreath, and while I am far from great at making them, I think she appreciates the thought. :-)

I did not come up with the idea to put pumpkin in brownies, but O.M.G. it is fabulous. Not only is it pretty, it tastes like a chocolate pumpkin pie.  I wanted to share it with everyone I am sending cookies to, but sadly, it won't be making it into the packages due to my inability to control myself. I have made and frosted some more sugar cookies, which will be sent out as soon as I add some more cookies to the packages, and I also experimented with dried apples and make an apple cinnamon sugar cookie that I love. I have a few more fall baking ideas, and as soon as I get my buns back in the kitchen I will post pics and reviews.
Also, unrelated to cooking or crafting, but I have the cutest dogs in the world.

Tuesday might just become New Blog Day!

Well, lookie here. It's been a week since my last entry, and I actually have something to share!
Last Friday, I made myself go to Denver to the Gem and Bead shows.  Now, you might be thinking that saying "made myself" is a bit of a stretch if you know my attitude about shopping. But I very rarely go out od town to go shopping by myself.  I like to, instead, drag along unwitting family members (Mom and Brin, Dad won't go there!) or friends (ok, ok, friend.  I only have the one. Melissa).  But I sucked it up and suffered through and so on, and let me say, wowee kazaowee.  Apparently there were 8 shows going on that weekend, and I only attended 2, or really just 1.5 if you cound the fact that I didn't finish the bead show because I ran out of money and couldn't stop buying things. It was SOOOOOOO AWESOME!  I had a lot of fun at the combination Gem and Fossil show, even though it was overrun with kids.  I have to admit though, they were adorable ones, all decked out in their "I heart dinosaurs" gear. So cute. I didn't really look much at the fossils, as that's not my thing, but the abundance of gems was fascinating.  Of course, I'm a nerd and didn't take any pictures at that one, so I have none to share until I take photos of the little gemmys that I actually bought.
Now, let's talk about the bead show. Incredible.  It was like a warehouse lined with the bead isles at michaels and joanns, but with TONS more, and so much different stuff that I had to try really hard not to pee my pants in excitement. I was suckered into the very first booth I saw, and then skipped maybe 3 on my route to the back and then back to the door.  I didn't let myself see the whole thing, (that's what she said) because I just didn't think I could handle it.  The girls I spoke with at the craft fair I attended said it was overwhelming, and I didn't believe them, but I totally should have, because it is.

And these jerks below had the audacity to have basically every swarovskit known to man...

I know these pics aren't the best, but I think I could have taken a thousand of them and I wouldn't have been able to capture the ginormousness of the situation.
I wish that Melissa could have been there, I think she would have appreciated them as much as I did, and also I think she is the only shopping partner that wouldn't have minded the excessive amount of time I took studying the beads.
So that is my Friday adventure. Super awesome.

On to my today adventure.  I have been yapping about making sugar cookies for, oh about 2 weeks now, and I finally got around to finishing my first batch.  I don't know if the icing is going to set enough for me to mail them out to all of you I promised to mail to, but if not, I'll just make more, and hopefully get the icing recipe right! 

I know that leaves wouldn't have the little confettis on them but hey- they're fall-y and cute.

And then below, I made some punkins (by the way peeps, I KNOW it's pumpkins, but punkins is more fun to say) and some acorns.  The punkins are okay, acorns, not so much.

Really the only way to tell the difference is the color, the punkins being orange and the acorns being brown, except for the two yellow, not sure what I was thinking there...

That's it for me.
Toodles!

Pops of the Cake Variety

I have been informed in a not-quite-gentle way that I am slacking and should have posted an entry about my cake pops situation. So.  Melissa- shut your maw, and here it is.
I happened upon a recipe for Jack-o-lantern cake pops in my most recent Betty Crocker magazine (because I am THAT cool, to get the BC mag...) and not only did they sound deeee-licious, they were adorable and looked easy.  Well, they are delicious, and if done correctly, adorable, but not quite as easy as one might imagine. Basically you bake a cake and let it cool, and then you crumble it in a big bowl and mix with frosting.  Then you take little balls of that (or in the case of other shapes, you do whatever) and freeze them.  Then you use the easily-melted chocolate and dip the little balls in it once you've put them on the lolli stick- thus making them a pop!  Then you decorate! (oh yes, and you have to put the stick in a Styrofoam block to let the chocolate harden first)
It all sounds so easy, but making the little cakey balls look like balls and not lumpy bumpies is HARD!

Here are my lumpies. (not to be confused with whatever Fergie was talking about in that one song.)
I can say that even though they are lumpariffic, they are good.  Apparently when you let the chocolate harden it shrinks a little, and this results in cracks on some of the pops, so I did what any great product-controlling individual would do- I ate them.  It tastes like a cake flavored truffle on a stick. Fabulous.
And I decorated a few,

I used a black glitter gel, but I think that it would be loads easier if I had sprung for the $9 food coloring pens and done the faces that way.  And even though they are far from the adorable balls that are shown, I like to think my little dudes have "character."  You know, like when you ask someone what they think of something and the response is "well, it's..... different."  They are different, but unapologetically.


Look here for more goodness!
http://www.bakerella.com/

Shame On Me.

I have neglected my bloggy friends. I'm so sorry.
So here's what's new....
Un-craft related, Tim and I had a great 6th Anniversary on Sunday, and Monday we drove up to Estes Park and it was SO BEAUTIFUL. 

On a craftier note, I was trying to get into the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market, but unless I can provide an entire booth of non-jewelryness, I'm not in.  :-(  That's okay, I could try to do a whole bunch of new stuff by the deadline, but it's only a couple weeks away, and I am just not up to the challenge.  Instead, I plan to focus my energy on finding and attempting new crafts for Christmas!  I know I'm not the only one out there that is already thinking about this holiday (Melissa, I'm theatrically winking your way...) but I may be the only one that has already bought numerous gifts. Sorry people, I LOVE to shop. Love. My poor hubs can attest to my unhealthy obsession with sales. (OH YES, I am already thinking about Black Friday!)
So.   In an attempt to be more like I was last year (broke) I am trying to make a lot of gifts, and luckily I am starting on it sooner than November this year, so I have hopes of making things while not stressing.
Oh yes, and I found just about the cutest cookie cutters whilst roaming the isles at Ross, so I think I might try my hand at cookie decorating.  I figure even if they look horrible, I'll still eat 'em. :-9