I'm a Sucker

I caved and signed up for the Vintage Children's Book and Bookmark swap over at the Polka Dot Pixie. It sounds pretty easy and definitely right up my alley. Find it here.

What I Am Working On

I am almost finished with my belated Vintage Kitchen Swap package. Luckily, my partner Vicki is running late too. It is so annoying when life gets in the way of my swaps and crafting. If I could just get rid of this pesky full-time job!

I really wanted to make Vicki an apron for the swap but I am still lacking a sewing machine. I'm putting it on my wish list for Santa this year.

As you already know, I signed up for the Black Cat/Pumpkin swap and I've started to think about ideas. I really really really want to sign up for Artsy Mama's Sweet and Sinister swap but I think I'm going to have to skip it this time. After all, my own TRICK OR TREAT Swap is coming right around the corner and I have to concentrate on that!!!! I anticipate opening up signups either the last week of September or the first week of October so stay tuned!!!

I am absolutely thrilled that I managed to get one of Teresa's new kits! I have never gotten one before and her tea-themed one looks like fun!!!

I have decided what I will be making friends and co-workers for Christmas. (Gary----spoiler alert!!!!)

I have decided to do some CD-Case calendars. It seems like a fun, easy and inexpensive gift for people. See the tutorial in my sidebar. I also have to knit up three more bunnies to give as baby gifts. It seems like everyone is pregnant these days. Maybe there's something in the water. I hope so! (wink)

Black Cat/Pumpkin Swap!

I just signed up for the Black Cat Pumpkin Swap over at Hop Hop Jingle Boo! She has sign-ups open until September 1. I just can't resist a Halloween-themed swap! Still finishing up my Vintage Kitchen Swap package. I ordered an item that I am waiting on. Swaps are just too much fun!!!!

Off to Texas

Hello friends!

I am going home to Texas for the weekend and I can't wait! I'll post again when I get back next week.

Until then, I hope you all have a Texas-sized Weekend Full of Fun!!!!



"I dearly love the state of Texas, but I consider that a harmless perversion on my part, and discuss it only with consenting adults."

--Molly Ivins

More Shopping!

I have been wanting one of Jen Conway's crows for the longest time but I keep missing them when she posts them on Etsy. Well, I think it was because fate knew that I needed a HALLOWEEN crow! I am so excited that I scored one of Jen's witch crows. Woo hoo! She just posted some lovely royal birdies. Go check it out!



Heather's much-anticipated opening of her Present Past Collection store happened this past weekend. I had to snatch up a lovely Martha apron. I love bright colors! Especially when they have a Mexican feel. See Heather's store here.

I'm borrowing these pictures from the owners so you can see what wonderful goods they have and go buy some for yourself! So many creative people, so little money to buy their stuff!!!

Mary Poppins Art Doll Hat

I hope Beth won't mind me borrowing her photo. This is the third art doll hat I made for the wonderful Beth! She had posted about her Mary Poppins umbrella and I thought she needed a Mary Poppins doll. I'm not really happy with the image I ended up using. It was hard to find a good Mary Poppins image with arms. And my attempt at a bustle wasn't perfect. But I gave it my best shot. I love how Beth created a little Mary Poppins tableau! Just a spoonful of sugar!

Nice Matters

What a wonderful way to start my week! Karen over at BlueMuf's Corner nominated me for a Nice Matters Award! Now, this is the kind of award that really means something to me. I really believe in the "power of nice" and I think it's great that Genevieve over at Bella-Enchanted decided to create this award. Isn't it a wonderful thing to tell people that you appreciate them?

It is hard to pick just seven people because you are all so wonderful! Okay, I'm going to give it a shot!

1. Genevieve over at Princess Genevieve

2. Gary at Rabbit Fence

3. Michelle at Hippie Dog

4. Natasha Burns at her eponymous blog

5. Sarah at Experiment Land

6. Kim over at Calamity Kim

7. Beth over at her eponymous blog

Thank you for all being so sweet!!!

Now, slap this award on your blog and go share the love with seven other nominees!

Sweet Dreams

I think I have found my dream bed. Now, I just have to convince my husband to buy it for me.

Check out the bed and other lovelies here.

Artsy Mama Party Recap

If you missed Artsy Mama's Artful Blogger party yesterday, don't despair! Loads of wonderful bloggers showed up to share their passions, inspirations and tutorials! And I love a good tutorial! I will be going through each and every participant's page and updating my "Projects I Want to Try" section.

You can find all the fun here.

Artful Blogger Party!

Well, I was only going to be an observer of all the fun over at Artsy Mama's blog but I thought I'd join in!

As many of you know, I recently hosted an Art Doll Hat Swap inspired by some of the work over at Art Chix Studio. The ladies in the swap made some truly amazing pieces!!!

To make your own art doll hat...

1) Use a cardboard cone, party hat or large piece of paper twisted into a cone-shape for your base. I used a heavy cardstock and then glue-gunned it into a cone shape.

2) Choose an image with a torso and arms. When cutting out the image, make sure to leave a tab of paper to stick down inside of the cone. I mounted my magazine image onto cardstock to make it stronger.

3) Cut off the tip of your cone and stick the tab of your figure down into the cone. Dab some glue on the tab and smoosh the sides of the cone point flat onto the image to make the "waist" of your art doll hat.

4) The rest of the cone becomes the "skirt" of your figure. Decorate as you like and then add some ribbons so that you or your recipient can tie it on their head and party!!

I made the art doll hat above for the wonderful Michelle of Hippie Dog Primitives.

Thanks for all the fun, Artsy Mama!!!

Delinquent Blogger!

Sorry I haven't written in awhile. I have received THREE art doll hats in the mail that need to be photographed and posted. Thank you so much to Michelle, Tammie and Natasha! And Miss Leah sent me some crafting goodies as a thank you for hosting the swap. So sweet! Thank you all! It makes me day to get mail!

I am busy pulling together items for the Vintage Kitchen Swap. This one is tough for me for some reason but it's fun to go around town looking for goodies.

The wonderfully talented Debra over at Hop Hop Jingle Boo has posted the teaser below about an upcoming swap that I am DEFINITELY going to join! Go check it out! It might get your creative juices flowing.

Tussie Mussies Have Landed!

My husband always tells me I'm spoiled. I'm beginning to think he is right. Angelina just sent me the most wonderful package! She made me TWO Tussie Mussies! And filled the package with craft goodies and homemade tags. Wow! I'm speechless. Thank you so much, Angelina! She has her own online storefront so if you like what you see, go check her out here!

Recent Etsy Finds

I realized I haven't posted all the wonderful things I have been getting in the mail!
These are my bluebirds of happiness that were custom-made for me by Laurie's Charming Designs. Aren't they sweet? It was a belated anniversary gift to my husband.




And I call this my Hippie Dog family! I got two Halloween cats and a charming Santa from Michelle! Love them all!!



This is a cowgirl pincushion I got from my swap partner Beth. I just love cowgirls and this one is especially cute!




Finally, I bought a craft apron made by Beth's buddy Suzy over at GeorgiaPeachez. I couldn't resist the Sis Boom fabric she used!



Whew! I bet my mail carrier is getting tired with all of this loot! Be sure to check out the Etsy stores of all of these creative ladies!

Look What I'm Getting From Michelle/Hippie Dog!

I might just be the luckiest little swapper around! Michelle just posted a picture of this little senorita who will be heading my way soon. I just love it! Perfect! First a cowgirl and now a lovely Mexican senorita! (by the way, I look just like this little lady in real life...I just don't photograph well...ha!)

I can't wait to slap her on my head and take a photo. Thank you, Michelle! She is beautiful!!!

Art Doll Hat Swap Wrap-Up

Hello Ladies! Well, this is it! Please mail out your hats by the end of the week to your partners! I have been so excited to see the amazing hats on Flickr and on your blogs. (yes, I visit each of your blogs every day!) You are all so creative and wonderful!

Now, for the icky part...if I find out that you have not fulfilled your swap commitment, you will not be allowed to participate in future swaps. If you think you are going to be late in sending out your hat, please let your partner know. It really stinks to work hard on a swap and then have your partner drop the ball. So, please FULFILL YOUR COMMITMENT!

I will be hosting another swap in early October. Just to get your minds thinking...it will be a trick-or-treat container swap. Because adults should get to trick-or-treat too! Here is the chance to fill the container of your choice with five trick-or-treat items for your partner. At least one item must be crafty and at least one item must be candy/chocolate. So, be thinking and hopefully I'll see you again in October!


Thanks everybody!