Happy Halloween!

I want to wish you all a very Happy Halloween. And a special thank you to my crafting blogging friends and my swap partners. If it weren't for all of you, I wouldn't have any Halloween decorations this year!

We never seem to get any trick-or-treaters but I'm still going to wait by the door with my basket of candy. You never know!

I DID manage to make Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing for my co-workers. They turned out really well. I used the Sprinkles mix from Williams-Sonoma. The icing recipe makes a whole bunch so I have a lot left over. But I'm pleased with how tasty the cupcakes turned out.

Hopefully, we won't have another earthquake. That is a Halloween prank I can do without!

Getting Caught Up!

I got all three of my swap packages in the mail on Saturday. Whew! I am a mess these days! But I can't let my partners down. I had to rethink my Trick or Treat Swap packages because I couldn't find the materials I needed. Hopefully, my partners will like what I sent. I got my first Sweet Goodness package from Cheryl and she spoiled me beyond belief! I took photos but haven't uploaded them yet. Hopefully, I will get them up tonight.

Drawing inspiration from Natasha, I have decided to bake red velvet cupcakes to bring to work on Halloween. I'm going to cheat, though, and use the SPRINKLES cupcake mix from Williams-Sonoma. I haven't done a very good job with Halloween this year but I'm going to do better with Thanksgiving. In fact, I have a lot of good ideas for Cheryl's next Sweet Goodness package. I better get started!

Silver Bella for the Rest of Us

I have to admit I have been moping about not getting to go to Silver Bella. It just sounds like too much fun. That is why I was overjoyed when I visied the Bluhm Studios blog today and saw what the talented Heather is up to. (she's one of the creative forces behind Art*Play which was such a fun retreat!)

Heather and Cerri from Little Pink Studio are gathering together some of my favorite creative bloggers to create special kits that will be on sale during Silver Bella weekend. It will be a chance for those of us who can't make it to the big event to get in on the fun. They are calling their venture JOLI PAQUET! Too cute!

Find the preliminary details here. I can't wait!

Moving Right Along

It seems I am woefully behind on everything lately. Even putting up my Halloween decorations! (which is really not like me) My husband finally put up my pumpkin inflatable in the front yard yesterday. Now, it is feeling more like Halloween.

I have been getting things done on my belated swaps. I will send out all three packages by Saturday. I SWEAR!

In the meantime, I received the most adorable package from Mica yesterday. I took pictures but haven't uploaded them yet. She really spoiled me. After looking at all the cute things people are making, I am realizing that I really need a sewing machine. Hope Santa brings me one!

I have been very distracted by the fires happening in Southern California. It is just so horrible. Thankfully, no one we know is in any direct danger although one of our friends is a firefighter in Laguna Beach. I can't imagine what it must be like for those poor people trying to save their homes and having to leave. They are all in my thoughts and prayers. I live near an area in Northern California that is very similar to where the fires are currently burning and it makes you realize how you need to be prepared for such things to happen. I just hope that the winds subside and the rain begins.

Nightmare Before Christmas Junkie

Tim Burton's NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (NBC) came out my senior year of high school. I have always been a fan of Tim Burton because he shares my whimsical sensibilities. When I heard he was coming out with an animated holiday movie, I could barely contain my excitement. I sat through the movie the first time with an utter look of delight frozen on my face. I couldn't understand why it wasn't an immediate success. Luckily, I bought several NBC toys at the Disney Store because the movie was a flop and they yanked all the toys very quickly. I did have one lucky break, though. I went to college in San Antonio and the McNay Art Museum owns a large number of NBC sets and figures that they display almost every year. At least I had that.

And then something happened...

Several years later, NBC experienced a kind of rebirth. It is now a cult film that is especially popular among teenagers for some reason. (this really intrigues the anthropologist side of me) There is even a shop dedicated to NBC merchandise at Disneyland now. And I was able to get my own Sally costume a few years ago. Can I tell you how excited I was when the film was released in 3-D last year? My husband drove me to the nearest big city just so I could see it. I was positively vibrating in my seat. NBC is funny, sad, romantic, spooky...What can I say? There is just something about this movie.

Enjoy one of my favorite scenes above and have a great weekend!!!

Crafty Spiders?

I am not the type of person who is afraid of bugs, spiders, snakes or any other creepy-crawlies. Maybe that comes from growing up in Texas where the bugs are
GI-normous! However, now that I live in California, I am facing critters that I have not previously been familiar with.

My husband informed me yesterday that our garage (ie. my CRAFTING SPACE!) is filled with black-widow spiders. He warned me not to reach into any boxes and dark spaces. Of course, all my crafting supplies are in boxes crammed into "dark spaces." I now have visions that black widow spiders are building webs under my crafting table and burrowing into my collection of vintage wallpaper. Ack!

So, for my three swap buddies, your packages may be slightly delayed since I will have to proceed with caution in my crafting area. But I promise I will get them out next week!!!!

Swamped with Swaps!

Hello crafty/swappy friends!

Thanks for your well wishes. I am feeling a little bit better although I'm still struggling. It stinks to be sick right now because it is keeping me from working on my swaps! I have two partners in my Trick or Treat Swap and then I have Cheryl for the Sweet Goodness Swap! And I have all of their goodies in pieces in my garage workspace right now! It's just a matter of putting it all together. Hopefully, I will feel well enough to finish it all up by the weekend.

I haven't even gotten decorated for Halloween yet which is really unlike me! My husband and I traveling to Texas this weekend for my ten-year college reunion. When we get back, he promised me that he would put out my big inflatable stack of pumpkins in the front yard. That will definitely make it feel like Halloween.

Sending good spooky thoughts your way!

Mea Culpa

So sorry I haven't been blogging lately. I'm a little under the weather with a stomach thing. But I will be back with new posts soon. I have lots of projects to catch up on this weekend. And I have some swap goodies to show you too! Hope you are all well. I'm keeping up with your blogs!!!

SWAP PARTNERS

Hello Creative Ladies!!!

Thanks for being a part of my swap. I'm so glad so many new people signed up. I'll be sending you individual e-mails but I thought everyone would enjoy seeing each other's blogs. Enjoy!!!

Maria and Laura

Mary and Lindsay

Tamy and Bren

Michelle and Debra

Sarah and Heidi

Lindsey and Jeannie

Cathy and Amy

Mica and Amy

SIGN-UPS ARE CLOSED!

Sign-ups for the swap are now closed. We have a great group of people and most of them are new! I'm so excited!

I will try to get partners out Monday. Once you get your partner, please contact her within three days.

Thanks for participating!!!

TRICK OR TREAT SWAP

SIGNUPS ARE NOW OPEN!

I will take sign-ups BY E-MAIL from October 1 until October 5 at 5pm PST.
Please put the word "SWAP" in the header of your e-mail so I don't miss it. You can find my e-mail address in the sidebar. Include your full name and a link to your blog.

I'm going to require a blog this time to make it easier for partners to get to know each other.

Here are the details:

Create a special treat-or-treat container for your partner!

1) One item in the container (or the container itself!) must be crafty.
2) One item must be thrifty.
3) You should include some of your partner's favorite candy! (because adults need trick-or-treat candy too and this is a legitimate way to get some!)

Try to keep your spending around $15-$20.

Please contact your partner within three days of assignments!!!

Containers should go out by October 22 so your partner gets it in time for Halloween.


I will send you a confirmation after I get your sign-up. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail, please let me know! Thanks!!!

A New Blog Buddy

Miss Lucy of All Asundry is giving my little blog a plug today.

I think one of the best things about blogging is getting the chance to meet new people and share interests and ideas.

The Halloween and Vine show this past weekend went really well. I didn't get to meet the Queen. I think we missed each other by mere minutes. But my friend Charles sold almost all of his pieces. Now, he is really excited for next year! It was fun to see so many people getting really excited about Halloween. And forking over the big bucks for it, too! The energy in the room was really great.

I'm so happy that it is October. I just love fall. It's my favorite season. The air gets crisper and the leaves start to turn. And my thoughts turn to baking and getting cozy by the fire. And Halloween is just around the corner. I better start decorating!