Another Birthday

I had to put up the 200th post before I could post about Kim's birthday. Although it really wasn't just a birthday. She started celebrating Friday night with a friend spending the night. Saturday she had a group of friends get together at Cici's pizza, and yesterday we did a low key celabration at home with the family.

When Kim came back to live with us last year before the adoption we had to wean her off sugar again. She loves her sweets. Which I am more of a salty person so I really don't understand the obsession. I found this recipe last week and new it was perfect for her to do as a birthday cake. Of course mine wasn't as pretty, but being pretty wasn't really part of the requirements.

It is a sugar cookie base with marshmallows, m&m's, jelly beans and candy sprinkles.

Monster - 200th Giveaway

This is my 200th post. Hard to believe I have that much to say about anything. Maybe that is why I try to entertain you with photos instead of my words.

This little monster is climbing the walls at my house, he needs a new home. Leave a comment on any or all of my posts dated March 30 (today) thru April 10, 2009 and you will be entered into a drawing to have this little guy come live with you. Limit one comment per post. Considering I usually post once a day you could have 10 entries to win this guy.

I will randomly pick a winner on April 11th.

Monster Inspiration

While on spring break in Florida Mason bought this keychain for a friend of his. She was busy working through spring break while we were "enjoying" ourselves in the sunshine state. I thought it would be perfect inspiration for a Monster. This is how the stuffie version turned out yesterday. It even got a thumbs up from Mason.

Stuffie Party

The stuffies got together for a little party before they start traveling to their new homes.

Swap Bot Stuffie Done

My swap-bot logo inspired stuffie is done. As I have said before I don't like following patterns... not even my own. I changed my mind half way through. He actually did have more monster like eyes and mouth but I just couldn't leave him that way. He needed to be a little more on the cute than freaky side. If I made another one I would only change a couple of things. Make the arms stuffed. They were so floppy I had to tack them to the front of the stuffie. And I would have made the hair tufts a little larger. Love the feel of the fuzzy fabric but hate the mess that stuff makes.

Bear Done and Blooming

Teddy got his nose and eyes today. He is done but may need a tiny teddy of his own before he gets shipped.

And this is why my sinuses have been killing me. Soaking rain at night and sunny days have made everything bloom.

Back to the swap bot stuffie.

Stuffie Help

I joined a swap to create a stuffie inspired by the Swapbot logo.Mason came home from the movies and decided he would help me design the stuffie. Let's see what it actually turns out looking like later today.

Swaps in Progress

Another small dog toy swap. As you know Buttercup loves small stuffed toys. She will

play fetch until she passes out. Small Scottie dog for another swapbot swap. Will probably make a couple stuffed dog bones also to send. My partner has at least one miniature dachshund, hard to tell from her profile.Finally got the bear stuffed and sewn up last night. Just need to add eyes, nose and maybe a mouth, throw on a bow and call it done. I wish I could find some vintage chennille to use in my projects. I just love that stuff. Although I am very glad I bought the premade patchwork fabric for this bear. I have a little left that Buttercup may get a project out of it, not sure how the flannel will hold up to dog drool.

Rainy weekend ahead, which will keep me from doing yard work (darn).

Goove Back

I think I am finally getting my groove back after vacation. Maybe I just needed a bit of retail therapy.

Picked up some felt that I can use for stuffie embellishments. I have a couple projects that need to get done. A swapbot mascot inspired stuffie. If I can just get the idea out of my head it should turn out nice. And a stuffie for a friend of Mason's. Keep your eyes posted for those.

Happy Birthday

Today is Mason's 17th birthday. He says he doesn't feel any older but I sure do.

Wow, where did the years go?

Weight Loss

I don't remember where I found this but I thought it was pretty funny.

Under the Weather

I am a bit under the weather lately. I think it is allergies. Everything is blooming and causing my head some major pain. Went home yesterday found the quietest room in the house and slept for two hours. And still went to bed at my normal time. I did get the teddy bear sewn and partially stuffed. I guess too many piggies ate up all my stuffing. I need to run by the fabric store today at lunch. I wonder if they still remember my name. It has been at least two weeks since I have been there.

David will be leaving for two weeks in Oregon the first part of April. Hopefully I can get a big project list ready and be productive while he is gone. Maybe I can even ditch the kids for a weekend. Wishful thinking.

Mason turns 17 on Thursday. Have no idea what to get him for his birthday. I think he is saving money for gas. Should have his license within the month. This was by his choice to wait so long. I am glad he did. I think he now has the maturity that I won't worry putting him behind the wheel.

And they finally gave an estimate on my car yesterday. Surprisingly they are saying $4000. I really think they are going to find more damage once they start working on it. Could take a few more weeks to get my car back.

One More Day

I still have a little vacation left in me. Don't have to go back to work until Monday. David and I made a quick trip down to Tunica to enjoy at least one day of our vacation. The good news is we came home with more money than we went with. That includes buying lunch and gas to get there. Not bad day at all.

Home at Last

We are finally home. A week long vacation with teenagers is more than any parent should endure. I must remember to apologize to my mother for all the family vacations we took when I was a teenager. I think I am actually looking forward to going back to work on Monday.

Overall it was a good vacation. No blood shed although I seriously thought about it a couple of times. Surprisingly Buttercup did great the whole week. She didn't eat like she normally does but she didn't seem to get overly stressed out with all the traveling and new house for a week.

Regularly scheduled crafting will return shortly. Keep an eye out for the 200th post, it is coming soon.

Monster Stuffie Swap

My partner sent my monster stuffie.
You would think working for a Mexican owned company that I would take the time to fully understand El Día de los Muertos (day of the dead) but that isn't the case. I find it a little bit creepy. He should be quite the conversation piece at my office.

The Toy Society

As you may know I have done a couple of drops for The Toy Society.

They were just featured in an article in an Australian News paper called The Age. Check out the article. Funny thing is they mention doing 100 drops by April. If I remember the post on The Toy Society correctly it should be well into the 300's by April.

I highly recommend getting involved if you like a Pay It Forward type of mystery in your life. I felt like a double agent dropping national security secrets to be picked up by another agent. Trying to drop in a public place, get a photo all without getting caught is a bit nerve racking. But you just have to go for it. And the look on my son's face when I asked him to participate has been priceless. He just rolls his eyes and goes along with my insanity.

Quick Trip

A quick trip home at lunch to get the model number off the garage door opener turned into this.

All I saw was a tire heading across the road straight at me. The sudden smell of burning rubber. I was barely able to get my car into the median. Thankful no one was hurt. There was a police officer behind me radioed it in before I even came to a full stop. And my witnesses were two ex-police officers that just had lunch together. One of them had just interviewed before lunch to get his old job back. Couldn't have asked for better witnesses. Now just have to fight it out with the other guy's insurance company to get it repaired and a rental car.

Long Drive

Long drive to Iowa and back this weekend. Very long drive home, hydroplaned once luckily no one else on the road beside me at the time. Torrential rains as I tried to stay ahead of the tornadoes. Finally got out of the rain into a dust storm through southern Missouri. Glad to finally be home. Nice visit with my Mom, Roy and Val. If you don't know, I am the one in the red. Had intentions of doing a toy drop in Iowa but the weather was not cooperating.

Look What I Did

Look what I did last night. I stared at my dash going no where for hours. My 25-30 minute drive home from work yesterday turned into a two hour bumper to bumper gridlock. Needless to say by the time I did finally make it home I was in no mood to do anything. The only good thing was I got to fondle my fabric all evening while sitting in the car.

Fabric Fondling

I swore I wasn't going to buy any fabric this week. Like that was really going to happen. I have been fondling this pre made patchwork fabric for months. Chenille is some of my all time favorite fabric, I could resist no more.

I had a 50% off coupon so I had to use it. Got a full yard of this. Which is more than I need but not more than I wanted. My swap-bot teddy bear partner likes shabby chic so I am going to make her teddy from this. Some cute button eyes and an embroidered nose are what I have in mind. And if it turns out well I may just make one for myself also.

I did for a few minutes think I would mix and match fabrics for a patchwork of my own but then decided why bother. This was perfect just the way it was, cheaper and required no time to put together.

Projects - Paper Crafts

I think it was just yesterday I was trying not to start any projects before spring break. That lasted real long didn't it I refuse to pay $15 for an autograph book for Disney. So why not make one of my own. Cost $0. All from things I have lying around the house. The front and back cover and all the pages are done. Just need to assemble it and maybe embelish a bit.

And I have been hesitant to start this project for a while but I have two jars of Modpodge that need to be used. One came from my mother-in-law the other from my mom. Hopefully they turn out as cute as I think they will.

Paper crafts are usually something I can knock out pretty quickly without much thinking or purchasing anything.

Coming Soon

Doesn't Buttercup look guilty of something. Not sure where she was running off to with her baby.

This is the cleanest my craft table has been in a while. I really only have one work in progress right now. Trying not to get anything else big started before spring break. But more projects coming soon.

My 200th post will happen sometime in March so keep an out, I will do give away of some kind. Hmm... you should keep watching for it. I have a few ideas up my sleeve.

What A Lovely Name

The traveling stuffie still has some traveling to do before I can mail him. As you may recall this little guy didn't have a name. Then I saw a link to this website, What A Lovely Name. Looked like the perfect place to find a name. And look what the site came up with...

Keung
Universe.
Tags: Chinese, creative, outgoing, quirky

What a lovely name, fits him perfectly. He is all buckled up and ready for some traveling.