End of November Giveaway Winner(s)!

Since only two people were interested in the giveaway this time around - they both win! Let me know which item you want from my shop! :)

30 Days of Thanks, Days 29 and 30

I was ill yesterday due to stress from trying to do to much before our trip... so I am thankful that I now have many days to relax!

I am also thankful for the rain today in SoCal... The air has been awful with fires here and there - we really needed this to clean up the air!

Pity we now have to travel to Kansas where you would think there would be clean air, but people smoke like chimneys, even in restaurants! I have stocked up on allergy meds for my family, and asthma meds for my son...

I'll be somewhat sporadic in blogging until after the holidays. I'll be picking a giveaway winner tomorrow, and look for another giveaway mid month in honor of my
41st birthday!!!

End of November Giveaway Update...

I am extending this giveaway through midnight on November 30... winner picked early Saturday morning!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 28

Kind of a repeat of a previous post, but I'm thankful that my son is now completely potty trained - he wiped his own butt today!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been waiting for this moment for almost 4 years now!!!!! (if you're a parent, you'll understand my glee!!!)

End of November Giveaway!

Leave a comment on my blog now (Wednesday) through tomorrow (Thursday) for a chance to win an item of your choice ($15 and under) from my shop! I'll pick the winner early Friday morning, and get it mailed out on Friday!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 27

I am EXTREMELY thankful that Colin has finally wanted to poo in the potty for the last several days! Does this mean potty training is over? I sure hope this is it!!! :)

30 Days of Thanks, Day 26

In a previous post, I mentioned that I am thankful for my "post-Colin" friends. Now it's time to be thankful for my oldest friends, a few of whom I get to see very soon! I may not be in contact with them much, or see them often, but I know they are always there for me, and I hope they know I'll be there for them if they ever need me!

So very unhappy....

Where is the advertising police when you need them? (see 11/23 post)

A few months ago I paid to advertise in Renaissance Magazine Directory. I sent in artwork for the ad, and never heard back from them. I received the directory today, and not only did they completely disregard my logo and ad altogether, they put in my home address! What the hell!?!?! I e-mailed them, and have not heard back yet, but I'm sure there's not much they can do about it at this point. I'm so unhappy with this!!!! Chalk this one up to live and learn, I guess... Unless anyone knows what action I can take against them...

So, here's the ad I sent them, followed by what they did...



UPDATE: I just spoke with them, and they will be refunding the money. I guess there was a breakdown in communication, and the graphic designer doing the layout did not receive my ad, and they just threw something together. Lucky me! (Still pissed about the home address, though...)

30 Days of Thanks, Days 24 and 25

Last night we went to Travel Town to do the train to Santa. I'm thankful Colin asked Santa for what we already got him! :)


We are leaving to visit family next Saturday, and today I'm thankful I finally started figuring out what to pack! We have suitcases in the house, so I can start packing as well! I also got Colin some hat and mittens today to wear on our trip.

Advertising Police

So, I didn't do much Black Friday shopping today... I got up to go to Michael's with their 25% off entire purchase coupon... They opened at 6, and I left home about 5:55 since they are only a block away. I was about the 30th person in line or so, and everyone ahead of me wanted the Cricut machine they had on sale. Turns out, they only had 5 in the store. People were annoyed, but the crowds in the store thinned after they sold out, and I could really look at stuff. An hour later, when I was ready to pay for the few things I actually purchased, an assistant manager was being badgered by a woman who claimed she was the advertising police and that Michael's was committing fraud by having just of few of the Cricuts in stock. According to her, they should have had 20 of them to sell per hour for 8 hours. I wonder if she tried that crap at Best Buy earlier when they sold out of the cheap laptops that they had limited quantities of... :) Anyway, it made me laugh, and I thought I would share!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 23

This may sound silly, but I'm thankful that there is a new vampire show on tv. I love vampire movies and books! I just finished watching "Moonlight" - and it's just starting to get good! With the writer's strike, however, who knows what will happen...

30 Days of Thanks, Day 22

I am EXTREMELY thankful that I have most of my gift buying/making done, and I don't have to go out tomorrow morning for anything... On the way home from Thanksgiving dinner with friends, we drove by the Best Buy by our house, and the line of people camping out stretches halfway around the building already... I thought it would be humorous if the end of the line went all the way around to the front doors by morning... I will probably head to Michael's to see if there is anything for my crafting that need to buy - I'll go ahead and go at 6, but hopefully no one will be there because they will all be in line at Best Buy!!! :)

30 Days of Thanks, Day 21

I am thankful for my husband's co-workers! I know that sounds strange, but he's been training a class for a few months now, and today was their graduation. Chris did an outstanding job training, and to show their appreciation, we got $100 in gift cards to Black Angus, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and AMC Theatres. We were very touched by that, and can't wait to use them! :)

I will cut this very short, as it's getting late and I promised I would go to bed at a reasonable hour... I have to get up to make pumpkin pie and green bean casserole to take to our Thanksgiving dinner with friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 20

Today I am thankful for Red Lobster! :)

Good Morning!

I just played around with Treasury West on Etsy.com! Check it out - I featured two friends, Michelle and Laura!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 19

I am thankful for the roof over our heads. I know this is pretty basic, but here in SoCal we see lots of homeless people. We've had some rough times in the past, but we've always managed to have a place to live that wasn't a car or cardboard box. Our apartment is small and we have way too much stuff in it, but when you stop to think that some people don't even have that - we're pretty lucky...

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30 Days of Thanks, Day 18

I'm thankful for my "To Do" list! :)

New Treasury on Etsy!

Please check out the new Treasury featuring the CCCOE November design challenge - the theme is birds!

Sale!

I will be having a shop wide sale over Thanksgiving weekend, November 22-25, in my Etsy shop. All items will be at a 10% discount! Happy shopping!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 17

I am very thankful for Disneyland! It is my special happy place, and I never want to leave! We went last evening, and had a wonderful time! We watched Sleeping Beauty Castle transform to a glittering snowy castle, reminisced about our younger years while listening to the 80z All Stars at Tomorrowland Terrace, and watched the fireworks while riding Casey Jr. To top off the night, Colin played in the "snow" before riding the holiday version of Small World. It was a very fun and relaxing night!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 16

Today I'm thankful for pumpkin pie! :)

Check out this link: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=2080! This is a treasury of this month's CCCOE challenge with a bird theme. I really don't know how we're supposed to vote on our favorite - they are all so good!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 15

Today I am thankful that after 7 years here in California, I have finally found a terrific hair stylist! :)

This morning Colin and his preschool class had a Thanksgiving Feast. We walked in, and they were all sitting around dressed as Native Americans, in colorful paper bag shirts and paper headbands. They were sitting on the floor around a paper tablecloth they had made. They greeted us, and played the drums and rainsticks they made. After that, they sang four songs, and then it was snack time! One of the moms made the most divine lemon bars! I'm so excited that we taped it all - his first school program!


On the crafting front, I am busy trying to finish up and list a few items before next weekend...

30 Days of Thanks, Day 14

Being from Nebraska and living in Kansas City for many years, I am thankful for the weather in Southern California - fires and smog excepted... :) Today it was in the 80's here, and although it was a trifle warm for me, at least it wasn't really cold.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 13

Today I am thankful that I am actually finishing projects! I need to have everything done by December 1, as that is when we have a family visit. This includes items for Etsy, promo items, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.

I finished two pieces this evening - the first is a custom set I did for my cousin for a holiday party. It is for her "little black dress", and is a 3-strand Swarovski crystal and pearl necklace.


The second piece is for the CCCOE (California Crafters Club of Etsy) November Challenge. This month's theme is birds, and I found a gorgeous little porcelain drop with a bird painted on it. I used cultured pearls in shades of green and white and brown seed beads to echo the tree the bird is sitting on.


Please let me know what you think of them!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 12

Today I am very thankful for my little family - me, my hubby and son. I love the fact that we have so much fun together as a family. I hope that never changes!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 11

Today I am thankful for my scrapbook meetup group! Today we had another wonderful card swap, and I got to learn some new techniques! I also got to have a mom's day, which are few and far between...

30 Days of Thanks, Day 10

Tonite I am thankful for getting to go to bed early (8:30 pm) vs. late (2 am). I am very tired today, and I have a fun card swap and scrapbook meetup tomorrow, so I decided to crash now. Good night!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 9

Today I am thankful for a sale on Etsy! My gingerbread jewelry sold last evening. :)

30 Days of Thanks, Day 8

Today I am thankful for a silly little children's program called Yo Gabba Gabba! I've discussed this with one or two friends, but I can tell Colin things til I'm blue in the face - like Don't Throw Things, Don't Play With the Scissors or Try It, You'll Like It. Do you think he'll listen to me? Nope. However, if it's on Yo Gabba Gabba!, he'll listen. It's the most bizarre show. Colin's best friend met DJ Lance at ComicCon - I guess he's most strange - but these little messages are in the show and the kids listen!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 7

Today was a rough day... my son woke up at 3am-ish coughing. He has allergic asthma, so it always worries me when he does that, especially when he coughs so hard he can't catch his breath. Anyway, what I am thankful for today directly relates to him - I was scheduled for my first mammogram today. I cancelled when he wasn't doing very well. Based on the stories from others, I am very thankful I didn't have to do that today! I know, I just delayed the inevitable, but I just wasn't in the right frame of mind to leave Colin with a sitter this morning.

As you can see from my shop, I've been busy finishing up projects. I'll be listing more on Etsy in the coming week, so keep an eye out!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 6

Today I am thankful for Colin's teachers, Miss Brenda and Miss Lucy. Not only are they phenomenal teachers, but having him in school with them gives me some time today to wrap his Christmas gifts! Yes, I am mostly done with shopping. With vacation looming, I have to finish in the next couple of weeks. The pressure is on!!!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 5

Today I am very grateful for a guy I don't know - John from Verizon Wireless - who was able to reconnect my internet just a few minutes ago after a total of about 10 1/2 hours on the phone!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 4

I am thankful for my good friends, Marianne and Mickey, who have allowed me to use one of their computers today, since our internet service is down for a while. I hope to be back online as soon as possible!

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Kim from Confessions of a Reality Show Reject - she is the winner of the Fall Y'All Giveaway! Kim, I have left a message for you on your site. Thanks to all of you who were interested in the prize. I will be doing my own giveaway in December, so please check back!

30 Days of Thanks, Day 3

I am thankful for my "new" friends, the ones I made post-Colin. They are a super bunch - and you know who you are - they are supportive, fun and just very nice! I am very lucky to have them in my life!

Fall Y'All Giveaway

I am doing a giveaway! If you are interested, please leave a comment! The deadline is noon on Sunday, November 4th, and I'll be doing the drawing that afternoon so I can get it in the mail on Monday! Good Luck!

Holiday Works in Progress

I am currently multi-tasking with many glue-related holiday offerings! First up, and almost done, are my "winter wonderland" trees. The small one is done with paper, the medium one with snowball garland and the largest with yarn! Check my shop next week for the finished products!

Next up is a Christmas book box, that can hold a gift or photos. I have just taken a picture of the cover, but the inside of the wooden box will have pages from "A Christmas Carol", and the edges are gold leafed.

I am almost finished with this cute decoupaged ornament! Again, check my shop after the weekend for the finished item!

And two items I'm far from done: a beaded star ornament, and a decorative sleigh.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 2

I am thankful (most of the time) for the other love of my life, my son, Colin. I say "most of the time" because he is 3, but for the most part he is such a good little guy! He makes me laugh, he loves to give hugs and kisses, and he is just so darn cute!

30 Days of Thanks

Kecia of Lemoncholy's Flight of Fancy is writing in her blog daily about the things she's thankful for. I thought that was such a great idea, I'm doing it too!

First of all I'm thankful for my wonderful hubby, Chris. For 10 years he's been by my side. We've been through so much in those years, and we're still there for each other. He has been incredibly supportive of me creating things to sell on Etsy - one wonders, though, if he would be so supportive if he had an inkling of how much money has gone into it... :) Anyway, I'm very thankful for my soul mate and love of my life!