The Elephant And The Butterfly

More stuff for sale

2011-09-04T21:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm a week late, but I'm finally getting around to listing some new items on my etsy shop, EandBShoppe. I'll have a whole slew of new stuff to come, too.

Stop by and take a look.

Here's what's there now:

And here's a sneak look at some that's still to be listed:

Thank you!!

Paper bag album

2011-08-20T20:27:00.000-07:00

Had a bright idea the other day. I usually take a TON of photos at any given gathering. It can become quite daunting when it comes to scrapbooking. It's not just that I have a hard time editing them down, it's just that ... well ... I have a hard time editing them down.

I'm not so keen on relying on digital preservation. Sure, my photos are all saved on my computer and a Web site, but think about all of the photos we have from the past. Grandma and Grandpa's wedding photo isn't digitally archived ... and we still have it right? I just am into the tactile stuff. So the hard copies of my photos are important to me.

Back to the problem. Saving them all. I guess I'd been puzzling it over enough that the back of my mind was working on a solution, because this is what I came up with. It's quick, simple and even stylishly fun! A paper bag album!

I made the covers myself by covering chipboard with scrapbooking paper. I then sliced off the closed end of a bunch of lunch bags, aligned everything and punched three holes. Slipped it all into some binder rings and went to town.

See the idea? Storage! All of the photos from this one trip are either featured on the pages or ... tucked inside the little bag-envelopes. Works well, hunh?

Watch for another post coming soon! I've been working on my etsy shop and am hopeful I'll have some new listings up this weekend.

Have a wonderful week!

Happy news!

2011-08-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to drop in and let you know that I was voted in to be part of my very first-ever design team (and it happens to be the store's first team, too!) I'll be one of five designers for Mimi's Crop Circle!

My first official submission is due in a couple of weeks -- a single LO about myself, which will remain in the store for the duration of my term, a year. I already have some ideas in mind since I've been meaning to do this subject for so long. But with such cute kids to scrapbook and a mountain of photos of them ... well, you know how it goes.

Anyway, each month the five of us will be given a design challenge, which then will go up on display for customers' votes. Not sure how it works after that:)

Yay! I'm proud of myself:)

One summer photo challenge

2011-08-05T00:41:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm so loving this post by my friend Tara that I had to respond for the first time ever to a blog challenge.

In her post, she asks, "If you could describe summer by only using a photo, what would that photo be of?"

Know why I love this so much? Because I don't have to spend time formulating words when the image is the entire point.

Without further ado:

New etsy Treasury

2011-07-27T21:50:00.000-07:00

I enjoy doing these when I have time. They're actually a lot harder to put together than you think. Here's my latest, called Fresh love.

My entries

2011-06-22T23:50:00.000-07:00

So I decided I would try out for a localish scrapbook store's design team. It's the first time I've ever done this.

We had to make an item in each of three categories: Card, Altered Art and Scrapbooking. The entry due date is soon or just passed; I forget (and obviously submitted these with plenty of time.) Customers will vote on their favorites and five winners will be chosen Aug. 1. Wish me luck!

My Card entry. I redid this one a couple of times, as I'm really *not* a card artist. I do like how summery and happy this one came out, though.

My Altered entry. I'm such a messy altered artist:) This was fun, though. The letter in the middle is a real letter from a stash I bought a few years ago at a junk store. There were several to one woman ... from a few different men obviously vying for her attention. A couple of the men were in the Civilian Conservation Corps and the letters were sent from the field. I have a whole life imagined for this woman.

And, of course, Scrapbooking. I so RARELY get any photos of The Boy lately, and have to take advantage of when he lets me.

Spring might be here ... but no guarantees

2011-05-19T00:07:00.001-07:00

It's gorgeous in Seattle right now. Mid-60s, sunshine and the blue skies of legend.

I've been busy as well. Some good things happening in my life right now. (Bank of America is NOT one of them. But that's another story.) I've been making pages and trying (but failing) to get my studio organized. I've put together some things for the etsy shop -- mini inspiration kits being the latest. Eventually, I might even get them photographed and listed!!

The flowers finally are blooming too. See?

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T19:09:00.000-07:00

Pretty relaxing day, except for the early evening, when both kids were a bit of a pill. (Seriously. Out of the 4,872 toy cars you both have, you HAVE to have the same one???) Anyway, I thought I should check in and say I'm still alive, and have been working on a few layouts, which are below. Hope your days have been productive and happy!

My brilliant children

2011-04-14T21:55:00.000-07:00

Elephant's science fair project this year was on parasites:

He had three categories: micro, macro and entertaining. What's "entertaining" you ask? Try Mustafar lava fleas (from "Star Wars"), ear worms (from "SpongeBob") and Pokemon (there's a bug type, apparently). Pokemon is banned from his school, so I scored some serious Cool Mom cred by pointing out that he could hardly get in trouble by including them on a SCIENCE FAIR display, now could he?

:)

And here's Butterfly at the beginning of creation:
I love that she DEMANDS to paint. I would never dream of stifling such ambition.

I love these two.

Currently obsessed with ...

2011-03-24T14:18:00.001-07:00

(and you'll need to mute the player at the bottom of the page before clicking play):

Pretty morning

2011-03-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

Butterfly and I spent a few hours this morning being alternately snuggly and creative. A couple of days ago, I had cut and punched out various roundish shapes with an idea in mind.

Yesterday, I gathered some brads and flowers, and today we set to work taking the idea of my head and putting it into fruition.

Butterfly designed this one herself. Sweet, isn't it? I think I'm going to have to keep it:)

The rest, I'll be making some cute packaging for and selling on my etsy site.

Snow day

2011-02-24T13:21:00.000-08:00

So tired of this weather. It's really dragging me down, the grey greys and the white whites. I miss sunshine!

Stuck at home today. The combination of living 5 minutes from the base of a mountain, living in the unincorporated and thus unplowed part of the county, on a dead-end street with a hill to climb up to the main road, a wussy-in-the-snow car and a terrified-to-drive-in-the-snow driver, makes it easy for this to happen.

See?

Took a few pictures of the pretty flowers I got while I was in the hospital:

But still kind of sad. Took some photos of my altered-book-in-progress, which I haven't shared here before:

and some pictures of a layout and some tags I've done in the past few days, just to show that I'm not totally lacking in creativity:)

But ... I'm still kind of sad. sigh

Happy early Valentine's Day

2011-02-07T17:50:00.001-08:00

ATTN: April Cole, please don't read this till you open some mail from me:)

--------------------

I'm going in for surgery and am gonna be out of it for the next few days. That, and my seeming lack of ability to get back online, made me think I probably should get this up here so as not to shortchange anyone:)

I signed up for a swap through my friend Tara's blog, the pink couch. My swap partner is April (you might have heard that name somewhere ... above ... lol.) You can see how talented she is ... which made me really, really nervous! Plus the only swaps I'd done before this were supply swaps, and the last one didn't pan out. In other words, I sent my partner some goodies ... but my partner never sent me any. :*(

Anyway, this was a lot of fun, and fantastic incentive to get me making something when I've been down in the doldrums. So this is what I made!

Side 1:

See how it's a card? :)

Side 2:
This side is a little sign. :)

Sorry for the stinky sideways shots of the details. It drives me nuts that no matter what I do -- how I run the photos through editing programs and so on -- whatever Canon quirk it is is not easily surmountable.

So there you go! I hope you have a wonderful next couple of weeks. Be good to each other!

I never win but

2011-01-28T22:10:00.000-08:00

that doesn't stop me from trying, lol. A beautiful, beautiful blogger (her AND her blog AND her art) is sponsoring a giveaway, and I'm hoping to be one of the winners. This is my favorite item from her shop:)

Wish me luck!!

A post!

2011-01-27T20:22:00.000-08:00

I know I'm cheating. Oh well. I just haven't been so inspired lately. But I wanted to let you know I'm still kicking around. I'm planning on revamping my etsy shop soon. (I had decided to do this when lo and behold someone bought something! When I went to finish the sale, the rest of my listings had expired. eek.)

Anyway, in the interlude, please enjoy this word art by wordle.

Holiday traditions

2010-12-21T23:12:00.000-08:00

Been busy as usual with the usuals, but wanted to share a few photos.

The Elephant and I decided to make some goodie bags to give to the people who adopt kitties from the shelter where we volunteer. Another volunteer had been doing this, but switched locations. I thought I'd start pretty small and see how they go:)

These are the finished eight. It was a pretty quick craft. I pulled some brown paper bags outta a drawer, grabbed some coordinating papers, washi tape, yarn, brads, eyelets and a cute stamp.

I stamped the little tag with a gift package design, and adhered one side to the bag via eyelets and brads. I also added a strategically placed strip of washi tape. One thing to note -- I left the tops of the paper longer, so they folded over the top of the bags, acting as a seal.

My sister's kitty was veeeerrrrry interested, probably because of the contents:)

I added a toy, a can of food and a little felt-wrapped catnip-filled square that I sewed. No need for perfection here -- the kitties will have these chewed up in no time!

We've been spending time doing our traditional Christmas activities. There's a wonderful display at a lake near our house that we always go to.

It's never, ever crowded, and always beautiful.

Here's Elephant.

And here's Butterfly; can you find her?

Found an awesome Sugar Cookie Workshop kit from Trader Joe's. What a lot of fun for 4 bucks! It has everything you need, save butter and an egg. It even came with three cookie cutters:)

Ahhh, cooperation!!

And the reward? Cookie dough. (Please don't leave comments about letting my kids eat raw egg. It's like a bazillionth of a percentage ... Plus I obviously survived a childhood of eating cookie dough, lol.)

And to the victors go the spoils! Yum!

Merry Christmas!

A banner day, part 2

2010-12-14T23:25:00.000-08:00

Remember this? Um, yeah ... you're suppose to click that link to refresh your memory 'cause it's been so freaking long since part one that I know you forgot.

I almost did, after all:)

So anyway, I left off with all of the triangles cut out and the dread thought that there would be a lot of sewing ahead. Guess what? I cheated. There's this nifty invention out there called fabric glue. Why not use it?

I did, after all:)

I glued all but a small opening on each side of the top of the triangle. I then lined up all of the right-sided-out triangles to ensure I liked how the colors played off of each other, etc.

I strung the banners on a huge old length of nice ribbon, threading the ribbon through the left-open tops. See how they all slide into each other, though? Not to worry! That's where the buttons came in handy.

Not only did the buttons hold the individual flags in place,

they also looked pretty cute while hiding the unglued part. And yes, I admit I sewed the buttons on -- 50 of them, to be exact. Whew!

The banana buttons were specifically FOR my little monkey -- er, I mean Butterfly. She did pick them out, after all.

A bit of artful arranging on the previously mentioned blank slate curtain canvas ...

See the open spaces in the curtains, just outside? Yup, that was SNOW. Blech.

This is Harry, one half of my dad's cats. Isn't he gorgeous, especially in the sunshine? His brother, Houdini (Dad is obsessed with a certain magician), is equally beautiful, with orange points instead of black/grey.

Now if we could only keep him from unwrapping Christmas presents!

Tag, this is it

2010-12-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

Another quick Christmas craft: A holiday tag banner.

I cut out a bunch of white tags using my Cricut, then border punched the bottoms of a couple of them.

I also used washi tape to attach each tag to a long strand of red and white baker's twine.

I pulled apart an old "Frosty" book, using a bit of the text in this one, above.

Made paper medallions and used felt flowers on another.

This is just some cute vintage Christmas-themed paper.

Here, I used part of a picture from the "Frosty" book.

The Elephant and the Butterfly sent off their letters to Santa a week ago or so. Much better than their mama, who has yet to do more than assemble the bits to make Christmas cards. This year, I'm only sending cards to people who send them to me. It's much more rewarding.

More to come (or t/k, for those of you in the know.)

The Advent of an idea

2010-12-05T22:07:00.000-08:00

Every year I go looking for an Advent calendar, and every year I seem to just miss buying the last one. So I end up coming up with my own idea, which, of course, now gives me something to blog about.

Because the Elephant and the Butterfly -- actually let's be honest it's Butterfly -- aren't so great with the sharing, I made separate "calendars" this year. Pretty simple idea, too: I cut out 48 circle tags using my Cricut. Half were green (Elephant's) and the other half red (for Butterfly).

I also used the Cricut to cut out a bunch of numbers. Used a medallion punch to give a contrasting background to mount the numbers, added some red twine and white yarn, and voila!

I hit a party store for half of the little doodads -- tops, bubbles, figures and such -- and Winco's bulk foods for a variety of Christmas chocolates.

I simply taped the items to the backs, making sure the popular items would match on a given day. For example, I knew if I put the gummy bears on Elephant's but not on Butterfly's for the same day, she'd never leave the poor guy alone;)

I hung them up all over the tree and so far the kids are seriously happy with the idea. Elephant helps Butterfly find her number as he's looking for his.

We also finished our gingerbread house this evening. One hint: Don't forget that it takes a couple of hours for the basic structure to set. That's why this evening was actually a part two.

Look at Elephant concentrating SO hard!

This is what he made: A little snowman in the front yard;)

Here's a view of the finished project ...

... and here's how Butterfly helped out. Hmm. Wonder why she had such a hard time getting to sleep tonight?

Too dang busy

2010-12-03T15:36:00.000-08:00

Argh. Work takes too much time! I've been trying to slip some creativity into the free spaces, so I'm hopeful I'll soon have something original to share. In the meantime, here are my adorable kids, tee hee. Think I might be biased? Butterfly plunked in next to Elephant to watch a movie then picked up his hand to hold ... much to his (obvious) surprise:)

Papier mache turkey in a few easy steps

2010-11-17T22:14:00.000-08:00

Yup, that's right. I made a papier mache turkey.

It all started when I foolishly popped up and said I'd participate in the cat shelter's adoptathon weekend by decorating one of the cages. What did that mean? It meant I got home from work around 1 a.m. three nights in a row and stayed up till 3-4 a.m. working on the dang thing. I swear, its waddle was still drying when I carted it into the store!

So here's a blow-by pictorial essay on the process. Many apologies for the photos, which were taken by cell phone.

1. Build your frame. Newspaper and masking tape make excellent bases. Plus the supplies are cheap (and/or free, if you happen to work for a newspaper. Which I do.) Some folks use dowels and wire for support, but my projects have always stood on their own via application of loads of masking tape.

2. We have the basic structure in place, including a head. I was going to buy a Styrofoam ball at Michael's for the head, but OMG! Have you seen how much those suckas cost? A liberal bunching of newspaper did the trick.

3. I covered the wings and tail feathers with more newspaper, then decided to cover the papier mache parts with kraft paper (I used a little more than one roll, and they were $1 a roll. Cheap.) You can always cover your structure to a smooth finish (sanding if needed) and paint, but I didn't have the time. The kraft paper ended up being a great compromise. I also added some colorful paper to the wings.

The kitties also like the tops of their cages covered, so I bought an inexpensive piece of soft brown cloth (currently being repurposed into a pillowcase for The Elephant) to serve as the "roof." It also nicely hides where the body parts attach.

4. This is the pre-head photo. I added some T-Day fixings and a cute little flower arrangement to the top. The turkey is the guest of honor 'cause I don't eat turkey! The sign says "Trot on Over." Hah hah. I'm so funny.

5. The rear view. The sign here says, "Please don't say this is THE END of our relationship." Get it? See. Told ya I was funny.

6. My sister's Evil Kitty (you know ... the kind who's going to eat you when you die) claimed the space as A Room of Her Own. I admit that I considered just packing her along and saying she was one of the kitties up for adoption ... but I do love my sister and everything.

7. And here's the finished project, in the store. Unfortunately, this is the only surviving photo of the head. The wonderful folks who packed everything up after the adoptathon recycled everything except a wing. Too bad, as I intended to keep the head as a talisman of some sort. Oh well.

The cage decorating also was a contest -- the public voted on their favorite. Guess who won? Yup:)

You can't win 'em all

2010-11-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

How about a quickish photo recap kind of deal of this weekend's scrapbook convention, CKC in Seattle?

I only took three classes -- no volunteering or crops this year. I tried to leave plenty of time for shopping at the vendor fair, but I STILL did not see everything. There were, however, a ton of great deals this year. There always are -- Seattle is the last stop of the year for CKC. But this year it seemed like more purposeful targeting of the inexpensive stuff. There was more than one dollar booth, for example.

My cool find were these paper kits for $2.50 each. There's at least 20 sheets of nice paper plus all these embellies. Definitely worth much more than $2.50. My only complaint? Why did I buy only two??

I noticed one trend: Flowers and butterflies shaped by wire with sheer fabric and bling details. I found one booth where they also came on a long wire, but this booth's display definitely caught my attention. Pretty, isn't it?

Classes were hit and miss, as usual. The first, by SEI, was cool because we got a ton of stuff. Getting a ton of stuff usually sends the class to the top of the list since even if I don't like what's being taught, I can use the ton of stuff to my own liking:) Second class was about masking/misting, and I liked this class. The supplies weren't too plentiful, but they were gorgeous. I also won some in the door prize drawing -- Jenni Bowlin and October Afternoon. Good stuff:) During the class, I made this layout:

The final class was by Creating Keepsakes. I'm glad it was my freebie for signing up for the Creating Keepsakes Club. It was a simple summer album class ... and there was so very little about it that was original! We got a ton of 8x8 paper and an album ... and about 10 flowers/brads. The lo's were pretty ugly, too. So -- I'll repurpose the goodies and make my own originality, lol. CK has been very disappointing, though. I have a feeling the company is struggling. I wish it would listen to suggestions and not keep itself stuck in a mode that obviously is disintegrating ... But I'm going off topic here.

Finally, I had entered the layout contest, but once again this year did not win. I've only won once ... which I suppose I need to be grateful for, and I am! I just want to win again, lol. This is my layout, with a couple of detail shots:

Anyway, I have a couple of random things left to clear out of the publish-to-the-blog file, then I'm hopeful I'll have the final banner post up:) I also need to get a giveaway in the works ... I've been the lucky recipient of RAKs and want to return that generosity! So spread the word and once I have enough followers, I'll get one going.

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm already a weiner!

2010-11-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

I was pretty excited to hear I'd won a RAK, something that never happens:) I was even more excited when it arrived, lol.

I got a wonderful assortment of goodies that's already all coordinated for a journal. See?

Thanks, Nicole!

Brief interlude ...

2010-10-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

I have some more things to post, but Elephant and I have had a heckuva week. We've both been really sick -- mine is faded though still grumbly, but he's in the thick of his. My poor baby lies on the couch with his mouth slightly open because his throat hurts so much! I want to blog about the wonderful RAK I received, and I will, but for now here's a snapshot of last weekend just to let you know I'm still here.

Dear Elephant

2010-10-27T01:27:00.001-07:00

Dear Elephant:

I don't mean to set you here, just aside, while Butterfly's demands are met.

I don't mean to think, "He's such a good boy. He understands that I'll be right back to answer his question. Take care of his need."

I don't mean to wonder all of the time if I am sacrificing one in light of the other ... the other in light of the one.

I don't mean to question our relationship, Elephant, and wonder if it's gotten off track in the headlights of a very demanding Butterfly.

I don't mean for you to ever wonder if you are alone.

I don't mean for you to answer the phone as Auntie drives you to school, to hear me say, "Hi Baby! I didn't get a chance before you dashed out the door to tell you to have a wonderful week!" and to hear you say, "I just KNEW you were going to call because I kept waiting to hear you say that! You tell me every week except this one, so I knew you would call."

I don't mean to wonder how to do all of this the "right" way, because I am so afraid of all the ways challenging me to the point I am very, very lost in the crosshairs of them all.

I don't mean to try to hold all of you, all of this and its meaning, in a single hour in the last part of our weekly time together, to leave an hour to "make it all up."

I don't mean to push you, Elephant, into an hour, into an aside, into an apology.

I do mean to tell you that you are so very extraordinary. You are my son, my sweet, sweet son. These are my stories for you.

I do mean to wrap you up in hope, a hope that you will see I did my best. Or thought I was trying to.

I do mean to try to find a way to explain how much you mean to me, how I love you unconditionally and gratefully.

I do mean for you to not be ruined by my actions or lack thereof, to have normal things to lament to your therapist.

I do mean for you to always, always be my first real love. My first real unconditional love, no excuses, no explanations, no nothing.

Dear Elephant.

Mama's Girl

2010-10-24T00:04:00.001-07:00

Three years ago, I was in the middle of the worst kind of pain -- not physical (not yet, anyway), but psychological. I was dying and so was the baby within me.

None of this is a big shocker, of course, since you know the story of how my Butterfly came to be, and how she came to thrive and surprise and delight and and and ...

And I suppose each year it *does* get a little easier to let go of the terror that surrounded the day of her birth. It's mostly at rest, though it would be a disservice to let it all go. Some of the residual keeps me on my toes, keeps me remembering how lucky we are, how grateful I am to have her, to have Elephant, to have ...

this life!

From a 25-week, 1 pound, 7 ounce being I hardly could see as human let alone my baby to this beautiful, funny, smart and delightful cheeky monkey who could be no one OTHER than my daughter, it is a lesson, a life's lesson, I am not so foolish as to think I should ever take for granted.

See? I'm overwhelmed with the joy of her, so overwhelmed I write in silly circles ... each time bringing me farther from the center that was that terror to the loops of joy that she is now! That our relationship is (and I will try my best to always maintain -- though, as I just pointed out, she is MY daughter, and karma really is something, as I'm afraid I will learn in about, oh, eight years.)

Little Butterfly. My surprise, my beauty. My gratitude, my smart girl. My heart.

Happy Birthday, Miracle Baby. I love you.

Happy Autumn!

2010-10-18T16:26:00.001-07:00

A banner day, part 1

2010-10-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

They are everywhere! Um, see the top of this page? That's right ... banners! They're everywhere because they're so stinkin' cute, and versatile and incredibly simple to make no matter the foundational material.

With that theory in mind, I decided Butterfly's sad white curtains needed a bit of oomph to match the rest of her room, and figured it was time for me to delve into a new project. Yes, even one that involves, shudder, sewing.

That, my friends, is how much I love my little girl.

Without further ado ...

The cool part of the project is you can take whatever scraps of fabric you happen to have lying around. Your flags can be as big or little as you want, in whatever shape your heart desires. The fabric I found came mostly from the craft swap a few weeks ago.

Here are a bunch I've already cut out ...

... and even closer. See how the shapes aren't uniform? That's right ... Let your uber-anal side go! :)

Here's my, um, "help." This is Bumblebee. I swear, we could be in a field 4 miles wide and 2 miles long, and I could hide somewhere in it a scrap of paper/fabric/whatever that's 2 inches square, and this fuzzbutt's butt would find it and sit on it.

So here's some fabric. Exciting, hunh? Just fold it into whatever dimensions work best, taking advantage of the fold to minimize the sewing time later required.

Folded again (my shapes, obviously, are triangles.)

Let the cutting commence! I didn't even draw a guideline or anything. As long as I can sew reasonably straight (hah hah), the cutting isn't going to matter too much for precision.

Done cutting and ready for the Big Reveal ...

Here 'tis! OK, I admit I went back and made it a "better" triangle, lol. I think I got distracted by the photo taking and didn't aim the scissors so well.

OK, whew. We've done a lot, hunh? Let's take a break.

There's a lot of sewing ahead.

Butterfly's birthday

2010-10-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

My little girl is turning 3 at the end of the month. I know. I can't believe it either. So her dad and I decided we'd do a fairy theme this year since the monkey really loves Tinkerbell. (And Disney princesses. But that agony for this feminist mama is best saved for another day.) Daddy is in charge of arrangements this year, and although we're keeping it to a family party, I still had to make invites, lol.

Here's what folks will receive.

Detail shot.

Here's what I did:

Started with a green organza bag. These are $5 for 10 at the Evil Chain Crafts Store I Hate But Still Shop At, and the 40% off coupon knocks a nice chunk off.

I raided my supplies and gathered some star confetti (Ikea, from a past Christmas), vellum flower confetti (Martha Stewart) and mulberry butterflies (I don't remember), along with flowers (from my stash).

Printed out the invites, tore them and pink-inked the edges and interior, mounted them on a square of pink mulberry and added some bling.

I then rolled the invites into a scroll and took a healthy length of pretty green thread -- to match the bags -- and wrapped it multiple times around the scroll before tying it off.

Stuffed the bags with all of the goods ...

And here they are!

It was such a quick, easy project. I really love how they look:)

And here's a sneak peek of what's coming next:

And even more goodies

2010-10-06T21:40:00.001-07:00

Yippee, came home to find another swap box. This is the one referenced earlier, via the Memory Makers blog. This time, my goodies arrived from Kentucky, from Keely.

Here's what I got (and, again(!) I apologize for the sideways photos. Dang Canon!):

Sneak peek.

The grand goods:)

Details ... pretty, aren't they?

I just totally love these brads!

Look at these adorable chipboard butterflies.

And isn't this butterfly so pretty?

These papers are gorgeous, too.

Did you notice a theme? Miss Keely definitely knows my fondness for a certain creature;)

Thank you, Keely. Truly, I am thrilled to have received such a wonderful box of goodies!

OK, here's a sneak peek of what's coming next. I'll give you a hint: My little Butterfly's birthday is coming up, and I made the invites.

Goodies for me

2010-10-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

As promised, I'm sharing the goodies I got from Nicole. And WOW, are they goodies!

So what arrived was not one but TWO packages:)

And when I opened the first package, I was greeted with the little kitty face that started it all. When I'd commented on Nicole's blog, I noted how cute this little kitty was. And here's my own copy. Yay!

But the kitty was only the beginning. In the same little glassine-like envelope were more goodies.

And then I opened the folder and found all of this!

Check out these awesome labels.

This was probably my favorite ... someone's ledger, detailing expenses. Yes, that first expense is a house payment ... for $38.54. And a grocery bill for 39. Cents.

I don't know if I can eloquently capture how much I love this kind of ephemera. Someone, at some point in history, kept a very detailed list of expenses without any kind of thought that someone like me would one day be allowed this glimpse of their lives. Who were these people? What were their dreams? Did they have children they loved beyond anything?

But it also makes me wonder which of my own random life detritus could someday be treasured by someone I will never know. It's these tangible connections to ... Humanity's history? Does that overstate it? ... that really move me.

And here is a sheet recording the hours that this group of men worked. Where did they work? What did they do? Were they saving for something special for their wife, their mother? Did they wait for the paycheck to spend it all in the bar? Who WERE they?

Just when it couldn't get any better ... I had a second envelope to open. This is what was inside.

I'm pretty lucky, aren't I?

Vintage treasure swapping

2010-09-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

So somehow, after years and years of going without, I've suddenly found myself flush with the riches of craft swappin':)

It all started a couple of weeks ago, when I left a comment on one of the blogs I really admire, life is beautiful. Nicole then had a proposition I couldn't pass by: a swap. We settled on a theme of vintage supplies, and a 10x13 envelope so we had some parameters:)

I had a fun time riffling through my stashes and stuffed the envelope. Since she's received hers, I won't be ruining the surprise by sharing some photos here of what I sent to her:

(Notice Butterfly helping out?)

I can't wait for my goodies to arrive:)

About 30 seconds after Nicole's suggestion, I happened to also stumble upon a Memory Makers blog call for a vintage kitschy swap. What the heck, I thought, and went for it:) Since that one's still in process, I'll save it for another post.

THEN, shortly after that, I was out and about someplace in my neighborhood and noticed a flier for a supply swap:) This one was co-hosted by a cool shop that features the work of local artists. It's called Happy Delusions. Basically, we were to bring down stuff we weren't going to use -- from papercrafting items to fabric to anything that another creative person would re-repurpose. Anything left after the swap ended was headed to a local thrift shop.

So I tossed in some of the inspiration kits I have for sale on etsy, plus a bunch more stuff, and had fun riffling through the baskets and tables to find new treasures of my own. It was fantastic, too, to watch the stuff I'd brought be claimed almost immediately!

Here are a few pix from that event:

While the madness ensued, Elephant wandered into the store to find things to beg me to buy for him. Butterfly hung out with us ...

She even scored her own treasure: Someone brought along a Play-Doh kit that's now a prized possession.

What fun.

Happy autumn!

2010-09-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

So many photos, so many supplies, so little progress.

One of the drawers in my studio desk has half-finished class projects from past Creating Keepsakes conventions. Today, I went through and finished a few off. I'll get there. Eventually.

I hope.

Oh, and before I forget, my yard is **overrun** with these little guys. Well, this guy's body is about the length of a 50-cent piece. No lie. Freaks my sister out, and I have to admit the daily walk-through-the-cobwebs routine is starting to get old. C'mon spiders. Maybe a less busy walkway would be more family-friendly?

Etsy Treasury listing, Harvest Moon

2010-09-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

Look what I did today:

Please go and visit it here to see the original, which is much prettier than this thumbnail shot.

Today I am ...

2010-09-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

I stole this idea point-blank from this sweet, beautiful, incredibly honest blog I stumbled upon.

listening: all day to the jokes of my coworkers, all of whom are in a particularly funny mood today. Working in a newsroom is like being with family sometimes -- a bunch of really warped, genuinely decent human beings.

eating: not so much. Elephant came home sick a couple of weeks back and expectedly passed the virus along to Butterfly. Butterfly, in turn, clung to me like a wee little spider monkey these past few days ... and expectedly passed the virus along to me.

drinking: water, coffee, Pibb.

wearing: actually, surprisingly, not jeans today. I know. I can't believe it either.

feeling: sick. Missing my children very, very much. Especially worried about my little Butterfly's nighttime fevers at the moment and wishing wishing wishing them away, as I whispered several times to her that I would breathe in the nasty germs to make them my own if only they would leave her body completely.

weather: waiting for true fall days to arrive, not this why-are-we-pretending-it's-still-summer charade.

wanting: my kids. To swallow without pain.

needing: love. Tylenol. To pay the mortgage.

thinking: I keep forgetting to make phone calls during the non-work parts of the days. And that I want my shift to be over so I can go home and go to sleep.

enjoying: work. I know. It's a conundrum.

wondering: when I'll get back to my studio to finish all of those projects. When I'll ever list all of the finished things for sale on etsy.

A few projects

2010-09-12T23:36:00.001-07:00

At Elephant's school's welcome back night.

A mobile I made to be sold in my etsy shop, soon as I take some decent photos.

A layout of photos from last summer. See? I'm not so far behind.

Grr. Another Canon camera sideways shot. Well ... what can I say? Enjoy! This one's also last summer (I think). Butterfly enjoying some roses.

Proooooooject!

2010-08-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

Gotta new one for you. I learned this album technique in a class at at local scrapbook store.

You make pleats to create the spines. It's so awesome and so easy! Remember all of the fans you made in elementary school, flipping the paper from one side to the other until there just wasn't any way you could make one more bend? Yup, exact same concept.

Then you tuck all the little tags and such into the pleats, giving yourself an album with depth.

The trick is just a fun way I picked up somewhere along the way. If you attach a string to the bottom of a tag pocket, then the other end to the bottom of a tag, then leave a bit of blank tag, when you pull the tag out of the pocket, it won't come all the way out. Make sense?

Happy 100th post!

2010-08-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

In celebration, I thought I should finish off a post from a few posts back ... lol.

Now that you've clicked on the link above, you know we're back for the second chapter of my little bookmaking experiment.

This is where we kinda left off, with the spine open and waiting for contents.

I just added some good old Elmer's glue along the inside.

I pressed a ribbon in for decoration, then added another line of glue on top of that for the next part.

Press the sheath holding the gathered and tied papers and other things into the spine. Make sure you like where the sheath is positioned, and that you have enough glue to so it can hold on to the parts it wants to hold on to.

(Note: I vertically trailed the ends of the red and white baker's twine I used to bind the sheath, so that any extra length will stick out the top and bottom of the book along with the ribbon.)

Next glue the sheath's flaps onto the original inside covers. As you do this, smooth the paper into the spine along the spine's natural bending points, so that the sheath will have the same give once the book is reopened after drying. You'll see in the final photo that there are points where the sheath isn't actually glued to the book; this helps with this flexibility that I'm talking about.

The cool thing is, the glued-in twine is the strength that holds together the papers etc. BUT the sheath gives all of the papers wiggle room. Does that make sense? Take a look at the photo. You need that give so that you can maneuver the pages, add things to them, etc.

Once you're happy with the positioning, carefully clip the book closed. This helps it dry tightly.

Here it is, several days later. See what I mean there in the bottom right about there being a gap where the sheath's not glued to the book? That's the natural flexibility it needs to be a book:)

So that's it! I might or might not post later photos as the book evolves with the contents I add. It's a special book for me to share with my Butterfly ... and I'm not sure I want to share it with anyone else. We'll see.

Thanks for sticking around to listen to all of this!

It's tooooooo hot!

2010-08-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

Ugh. I'm dying to work in my studio, but with temperatures in the 90s and my lack of money to insulate said studio, it's frustratingly on hold. In the meantime ...

More photo playing

2010-08-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

This baby girl loves her raspberries. She was so excited when she found out the surprise I had for her was this sweet treat.

These were her brother's overalls, and he wore them for like three years. They were SO long on him at first, and I just shortened the straps and rolled up the pants legs. Eventually, though, as the years passed I couldn't lengthen anything anymore. So I put them away for what I thought would be the day HIS
child(ren) could have them.

Can't you just taste it?

2010-07-09T18:22:00.001-07:00

I mean, can't you?

How could I possibly resist?

Forgotten ...

... but not for long. Butterfly gives the flower a drink, in her special way.

Water droplets

Mama peeks out, behind Butterfly.

Shadow/play

Splash!

My latest inspiration

2010-07-08T15:48:00.001-07:00

Today

2010-07-05T19:15:00.000-07:00

was a productive one!

Tags

Decided to upcycle some really cute packaging from my various goodies. Made some basic tag bases and went to town. These will be for sale on etsy for $5.

I think this one's really cute.

You can slip a little photo into this one.

Extra upcycled bits on this one.

Just a couple of the little ones.

Studio, part 1

So this is for people who think I'm always uber-organized. When I'm in the middle of making stuff, I have layers and layers of things. I just push aside and/or stack because I'm too into what I'm doing to stop and tidy. My grandma ALWAYS told me to clean as I go, but she was talking about in cooking. That I do do, but I hate cooking anymore, so it's kind of a moot point. I suppose those of you who love to cook probably can relate to the messiness, though. You get so into what you're creating,
you don't want to stop for the annoyances:)

Fixing a photo goof

It's as tight as it can get on the left side, but there are a couple of distractions in there. I'm not so into Photoshopping photos --
the journalist in me screams ethical foul.

But I'm not opposed to hiding the distractions:)

Here's the whole layout.

Layout interlude
This one's new. Keeping it simple to highlight the photos.

This one probably looks familiar. I forgot I had that other photo, so I had to make another side:)

Goofball interlude

Studio, part 2

All clean! Kinda.

Did I post these yet?

2010-07-03T23:26:00.001-07:00

I can't remember. Some layouts from last week and this. Just a few ... it's all I can get done before little Ms. Butterfly begins to provoke her Mr. Elephant and I flee for my life NO! I mean before I step in and intervene ... sigh.

Fear not ...

2010-07-02T20:33:00.000-07:00

Life's kept me busy, but I do intend to share with you the part two of my little book for Butterfly. It came out pretty cute so I want you to see it. Plus I'm going away for a few weeks in another week or so and won't be updating whilst I'm gone.

In the meantime, check out some cute kitties from the shelter Elephant and I volunteer for. The kitten, above, has been adopted but Miss Oreo, left, is still available ... as are hundreds — thousands — of other kitties across this country.

Hey guys, this one's for you, too

2010-06-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

My great-aunt was this amazing woman ... She drove till the very end of her life, often 90+ mph on the freeway, much to the thrilled terror of her passengers -- and just plain terror of the drivers around her.

When the lawyers started pestering her about selling off her many acres for development, she got so fed up she starting scaring them away by waving a shotgun at them. It worked, too.

The woman didn't wear purple -- or red hats. She didn't need to in order to live her life out loud and strong. And when she was diagnosed with cancer in her early 80s, she drove it away, too. A few times, until it just became too much.

I loved her so ferociously. I miss her, all the time. She was the last pen-pal I ever had. And when Butterfly was born with only a minuscule chance of survival, it was a no-brainer to give her my aunt's name -- and thus a legacy of strength.

I knew my aunt was watching over my daughter during the first 65 days of her life, when she lived in the NICU. I firmly believe without my aunt's unseen hand, my little girl never would have come home to mine. I know she watches over her still. And my Butterfly embodies so many of her great-great-aunt's qualities -- often to my great delight, and admittedly to my sometimes chagrin.

Why am I telling you all this? Because it's the best way I know how to tell you what I really hope you'll hear. I could lecture, give statistics, blah blah blah. But I actually want you to pay attention instead.

I have a blog-world friend I admire so very much. She has this incredible talent, this ability to create beauty that just seems to radiate from her being. This stunningly beautiful woman has a husband who loves her, and two sweet little ones. She's not all perfect though ... She SO uber-organized she actually writes out complete daily menus for what she's going to feed her family!!! I know, right?? Nuts! :)

I only know her through this online world, but while I respected her before, I respect her so much more now. Because not only does my friend have all of this beauty and love surrounding her, she now also has to wait for the results of a cancer screen.

I'm not going to tell you who she is because she struggled with whether or not to share her story on her blog (she tries to keep it all about her art) and I want to respect that as much as I can while still sharing her vital message. As she and her husband sat with her doctor, the doctor told them they "now have the job of convincing 10 women to make their yearly gynecological exam (pap-smear). We talked briefly about cervical cancer statistics among young women and the importance of early detection through pap-smears."

So I'm writing this blog because in reading her story, I feel like it's now my job to help spread that message.

So please. I can't badger you, but I can beg you. If you are a woman or love a woman -- your wife, your partner, your sister ... or your great-aunt. Please take care of her. Please take care of yourself.

I'm thinking about you, my blog-world friend.

This girl

2010-06-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

Today, unbeknownst to us, this little cheeky girl managed to unlock the regular and deadbolts on the downstairs door ... and set all of our animals free.

As she is a cheeky girl, we did not realize this had happened for at least an hour. She didn't bother to tell anyone of her deed;)

Luckily, most of the creatures are wusses and did not go anywhere. One cat sauntered across the deck and promptly was recaptured. And a neighbor called to let us know the dog had been playing in traffic, and was now locked up in the neighbor's goat pen.

Cheeky girl, this one.

Photos

2010-06-24T01:13:00.003-07:00

Just a few shots with my G1, on the drive home from work.

Yeah, yeah, don't use your phone while driving. Arrest me.

Lights

Lights/moon

Moon

1001 Journals

2010-06-23T17:36:00.000-07:00

Check out this new project I'm joining. It's a collection of folks who are creating, contributing to and/or circulating themed journals. This one is the one I'll be contributing to.

I've always loved the idea of circle journals but didn't know how to begin. Similarly, I really, really miss having a pen pal. When I was a teen, I corresponded regularly with my cousin in Sweden, who was prepping to spend a year over here, in the Midwest someplace. Unfortunately, our letters dwindled after a time, till there were none.

I'm hopeful this new project will allow me to recapture some of the qualities of both ideas.

New stuff for sale

2010-06-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

in my etsy shop. Please consider coming on by. Thanks!

E and B Shoppe

Lump forms in throat ...

2010-06-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

Startin' somethin' (gotta be)

2010-06-11T23:23:00.000-07:00

Unexpected late sunshine, albeit brief, sent my children outside today ... 'cause I made them go. I joined them, of course, and decided to finally get started on my book for Butterfly. It's meant to be a doodling/playful book for my little girl, for me to journal love notes to her or tell her stories ... whatever and however it strikes my fancy.

As it was an unexpected project, I left my camera inside and was too captivated by the creative process -- and fully aware that Butterfly's tiredness put me on a time limit -- to go back in for it. Thus the G1 photos. Again. Ugh. I tried to hide the flaws with some fancy photo editing and text;)

I've been collecting all kinds of old (but destroyable) books, papers, etc. So I chose a selection of mostly vintage stuff to use for the guts.

I found this book on one of my rambles. Each of the pages inside has a little story and very sweet drawings that I'm going to use as part of Butterfly's scrapbook. The cover I had eyed for this project.

I pulled the pages out and opened the binding to give myself a place to adhere my new pages. You can see some of the (irremovable) scribbling on the inside of the back cover; I'll hide that under something. The inside cover paper is pretty intact, and I intend to preserve it for the most part.

Next was ensuring the random pages were distributed nicely and the right size to fit into the little cover. I stacked and punched the holes for binding.

I made myself a little inner sheath (the white paper) to which I bound the pages, and which I'll also glue into the exposed inner spine of the book and onto the front and back inner covers, for stability. I did a final assembly to ensure nice fit, and so on.

Next, it was time to start threading the baker's twine through the pages and out of the sheath.

See how it feeds out the back? I tied it on the outside, where the strings will be hidden and glued into the cover space I exposed in Step 3. One note: I left the binding loose here, both to ensure it wouldn't pull at and tear the pages, but also to give myself room for dimensional objects when I begin to journal. The other option, of course, is that I can always remove pages if it begins to get too full.

Next, glue the new spine of the sheath into the old, inner spine of the cover, and carefully glue the sheath flaps onto the front and back inner covers. Note: Don't make them too tight! Give yourself some give to ensure the book has some "play" while also ensuring it closes nicely:)

Admire!

OK, so small confession. The title of this post is "Startin' somethin'" 'cause I only got some of the way through before Butterfly, well ... let's just say it was time to go in. Unfortunately, I didn't actually get to complete Step 8, which was actually gluing the pages in. I'm not sure how it's going to go.

I've never done this kind of book-making before, so I'm kind of experimenting. I'm thinking the string really is too sharp for the kinds of pages I've used, but we'll see how it goes.

It's all part of the learning process.

YAY!

2010-06-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

Just have to share the good news ... After 15 months of discouraging unemployment, I start a new gig next week! The cool part is it'll be 4-10s, so more time with my Elephant and Butterfly. Woo-whoo!

My little beauty

2010-06-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

Lost Things

2010-06-02T22:10:00.000-07:00

No matter what, I cannot get over this video!!

Better late than never

2010-05-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

Too bad I didn't pay attention to this earlier. Still, I managed to whip something up for Dad and thought I'd share the goodness. There's about a week left on the offer.

The books are really nice; I made one a year and a half ago of the kids, and Butterfly loves looking through it. You end up paying about $9 for shipping/processing -- really a great deal.

note: You don't have to make a "Father's Day" album. It can be anything you want of the 8x8, 20-page albums, including your own design.

Have you seen these?

2010-05-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

I want to learn more about them:)

Aren't these pretty? In case you're wondering, this started with the plate on the left. I found it at a local junk store ... for 69 cents.

Part of the reason I went ahead and bought the plate, not just because it's pretty, but also because it's stamped on the bottom. So I knew it wasn't just a mass-produced trinket. Or, if it was, it was done in a convincing manner well worth the 69-cent risk:) The two photos here show the stamp on the plate, then the stamp on the candlestick holder.

The candlestick holder arrived after I took the stamp info and did some online researching. I found exactly two more entries of Aristo, Copenhagen, Denmark, as it relates to this style of ware. (There's also a town named Aristo as well as a newfangled lighting company AND some kind of car.) One of the relevant listings was for jug that had sold at auction, price unknown unless you signed up for some service. The other listing was for this candlestick holder, on eBay.

I sent a note off to the seller, who told me it had traveled with his (now late-)Danish grandmother when she came from Denmark roughly 80 years ago. I had concluded the "31" stamped on the bottom referred to 1931, and he thought so, too.

He didn't know much more about the piece, but was pleased I loved it so much. (He was selling his grandma's things because he worried they'd just get broken rolling around in the storage boxes, and there wasn't anyone in the family who wanted them. Can you imagine not wanting something so beautiful from your grandparents?) Anyway, another $7 including shipping, and the auction -- and its treasure -- were mine.

But that's it. I can't find anything else about them! The blue very closely resembles the blue of the official Dutch royal family's dishes ... or something ... which I also discovered through my research, lol. Obviously, I don't even know a lot about china. What do I even call the collection of plates, cups, etc. ... a service? Place setting?

But I do know one thing very well: These pieces are beautiful.

In for quite the treat

2010-05-18T20:57:00.001-07:00

So I'm cleaning off the weekly kitchen-table-accumulation, and come across this funny looking little ... something. What the heck is it? It's a kind of tube, translucent and really short, not even a half an inch.

A bug casing? On my kitchen table (which is never used for kitchen table purposes, as I suspect many kitchen tables in the U.S. are never used for, but still ... )

((shudder))

Then I step back and step on something sticky. I lift my bare foot for inspection, an amazing feat (feet -- hah hah) considering my age and, erm, abundance. There's another translucent tube stuck to the bottom of my foot!! But thanks to my pets, this one comes with a bit of hair!!!!!

Ohmygod! I'm being invaded by something! It wouldn't be unheard of: Thanks to where I live, various creatures in the past have ventured in through the French doors that lead to my deck, often venturing in to their tragic fate. (I'll save the dessicated frog story for another day. ((shudder)) )

For this tragedy, however, I apologize for not having a photo to share. I must admit I was dancing around in a slightly hysterical manner, with a hairy something stuck to my person.

I, however, am a brave and fearless mama. I resolve to remove the offensive object without further ((shudder)), and reach sturdy-strong fingers down to pluck it off.

ew. It's --didImention-- sticky!

Some kind of casing that's actually a cocoon?

Then I see that it's not only translucent, but has a purple dot on each end. WTH??

And THEN I notice the smell.

mmmmmm

Candy!

Click!!

In just that split second, I realize my little girl has discovered a new trick.

Apparently, those couple of grape Mike & Ikes I gave her were only partially to her liking.

I'm guessing, from years of mamahood, that this is how it went:

After swishing the Mike & Ike around a bit in her mouth, and rendering it a beautiful shade of albino, it just didn't taste as good.

So my Butterfly deposited the part she didn't like.

By spitting it out wherever she happened to be.

And letting Mama in for a treat.

Ahhh, parenthood.

Proud of my boy!!

2010-05-15T19:16:00.001-07:00

His school's science fair was a couple of weeks ago. He did his project on the Quaternary Period, which is the period we're currently in ... and a period that looked quite different when it began. From saber-tooth tigers (did you know those teeth were just for show, and in fact quite weak and useless for fighting?) to killer birds all the way to now, it's been an interesting time!

I helped with the printing, but all the work was his.

This is his principal ... He kept telling her more and more and more, lol.

I learn so much from him, all the time. This kid can tell you several animals in every period on the evolutionary timeline. And he can tell you countless details about each animal.

He's an amazing teacher.

A day in the life

2010-05-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

I'm just going to let the photos speak for themselves.

Random photos

2010-05-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

The Boy and I volunteer with a pet shelter, giving lots of love to homeless kitties. (Speaking of, check these out, then go buy some!)

Anyway, while hanging out with the cats at the store, I noticed this, on a rabbit hutch for sale. Quality in all ways ... except perhaps they lack a copy editor:

Moving on ... Coming home Saturday, we spotted these two in the neighbor's yard, enjoying a snack:
(If only I could lure them into my yard to eat the dandelions!) Yup, they're wild bunnies (it's a pasture gate they're behind.) When I worked nights, I would always see them when I came home, and I'd tell the kids. But this is the first I've seen them during the day. So now the kids know I'm not just seeing things.

And ... we couldn't let a post go by without this photo:

Doesn't she look like the little muchkin in the Pixar shorts film,
"One Man Band?"

©Pixar

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

2010-05-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

This morning, I told the kids we were going to a scrapbooking store for National Scrapbooking Day. Elephant asked me if he could make a scrapbook.

Told you he's a good boy;)

While I did get to spend some more time in my crafting shed doing destash and organization, I was only able to get a single page done, thanks to Butterfly's recent (though not new) wish to be physically attached to me at all times -- and whilst attached, "help" me by physically moving my arms and trying to anticipate what I might be doing and/or need, so she can do it. Yeah, yeah. I hear you now: "Awwwwww, that's so cute!" OK, now imagine what it's REALLY like.

Anyway, here was our afternoon in the crafting shed:

And here was my one page:

detail shot: I made the flower in the middle during the
scrapbook store's make-and-take.

detail shot: The tag says "Some things never change -- like my love for you." Notice, too, the line of little holes there at center/bottom? That's suppose to be sewing. But the thread pulled out of the machine (AGAIN) and I ended up with decorative holes instead of decoration. Still looks OK. The dang machine, though, is going back to the store.

detail shot: I LOVE the filmstrip ribbon. It's a relatively new product, by Tim Holtz. His products are right up my alley. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, the butterfly's also his.

detail shot

And here's the finished page. I'm finding myself attached
to orange and blue lately.

P.S. Elephant reminds me that when Butterfly saw the page, she
pointed at it and squealed, then dashed off to find the bear shown in the photo. The value of scrapbooking in action.

Happy Earth-- Hey!!

2010-04-22T19:50:00.000-07:00

I had to jump back in today for another post.

So I was at Half-Price Books with my sister, and went to pay for my $1 clearance book. I see on the counter a sign: In celebration of Earth Day, with every $25 purchase, you get a free, reusable plastic bottle. Granted, it said it was biodegradable and made from recycled plastic ... but ... um ... A PLASTIC bottle to celebrate Mother Earth? How about 10% off instead?

Because the reality is that if the plastic bottle ends up in a landfill, it could be made of tissue paper and it's NOT going to degrade any time soon. Decomposition requires sunlight, rain, air. Landfills are packed as tightly as possible because, well, we need more room to shove more in. It's estimated, though of course it can't be conclusively proven, yet, that plastic bags last up to 1,000 years in a landfill!

More: Sunday, I'd gone into Target for some toddler items, and, once again, there was a celebrate Earth Day giveaway. This time, it was reusable shopping bags. These weren't the same ones Target has been stocking for a while now. They were a brand new design.

One thing that just KILLS me is this new industry dedicated to "reusable, Earth-saving tote bags." HOW MUCH ENERGY has been wasted making these things? I mean, SERIOUSLY? We'd be better off reusing the damn plastic bags!! And when the handles break, there are about 4,000 patterns online about reusing plastic bags ... including making new shopping bags out of 'em.

sigh

I've no doubt this is a well traversed subject, the commercialization of this conservation holiday. And I've no doubt others have made less obvious conclusions and suggestions. But I bet none of them have this photo, which I took at a grocery/other stuff store -- also today. Seems apt, hunh, for this modern world?

And hey! Buy one, get one half-off!

----
Crafty stuff ahead!! A friend's birthday's coming right up, and I made a couple of projects I plan to share. But in case she reads this, I can't post 'em yet:)

I'm famous!

2010-04-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Day! Woke up to find my e-mail account had been hacked and I'm apparently helping a company in Poland with their oh-so-noble mission of selling Viagra.

sigh

At least they coulda cut me in on the profits.

ANYway, I also woke up to find an e-mail that I'd been featured on The ReFORMatory, a really cool blog about upcycling, recycling, etc. Don't you LOVE the concept of the blog and the motto ("Where society's outcasts are made useful again")? Fantastic!

So thank you for the mention, and I can't wait to dig into your work!

Make a Cricut dust cover

2010-04-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

I've been busy stocking up on supplies with an eye toward a sweet little mother-daughter book to make for Butterfly. Look at these handmade/hand-sewn stickers! Gorgeous, aren't they? I know you want some. Seriously, take a look at my blogging friend Tara's shop ... But beware! You won't be able to resist.

Anyway, a little while ago I got busy making a dust cover for my Cricut. With the approximately 4,025 animals I have in my home, it was a can't-do-this-too-soon kind of project. I poked around online and came across this video. There are a bunch of patterns you can download ... Just do a Google search.

Here's the video. There are several steps, but don't let that intimidate you:

And don't let the idea of sewing intimidate you, either. I used fusible web, heh heh heh. Here's what I ended up with (I found the material for like 2 bucks at a junk store):

I added a little handle just for fun.

Pretty cool, hunh?

Reason #444,408 why I love my son

2010-04-15T02:30:00.000-07:00

The Elephant and the Butterfly, entertaining themselves on our Coast trip last week.
See how she looks up to him, so very literally?

Coming home the other day, after picking him up from school.
Having random conversations about this and that.
And then from him these words:

"Once I have a queen, her heart's desire shall be the heartbeat
of the world."

I live in the most beautiful state in the nation

2010-04-12T18:44:00.000-07:00

Nice trip over to the Coast this past week. Spent a few days at Kalaloch (first time) and into the rain forest and around.

Lake Quinault

Kalaloch beach

Ruby Beach

Hoh Rain Forest

Big Cedar Tree

Kalaloch Beach, after the storm

Product Review: Making Memories 12 by 12 Inch Folding Paper Trimmer

2010-04-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

((I posted this on amazon.com, but am spreading the word as far and wide as I know how.))

When my previous trimmer cut one too many crooked lines, I bit the bullet and started the search for a new one. After extensive research, I decided to go ahead and buy the Making Memories trimmer. I gasped at the price, but pulled out my discount coupon and sorta justified it. I haven't worked in 13 months, so this was a major decision for me!

Great trimmer, I thought, when I first pulled it out of the box. Looks gorgeous, sturdy ... which it must be considering its really heavy weight. (This is not a trimmer for those with comprised strength in their hands/wrists. Not only is it very heavy, the ruler they want you to use to hold paper in place -- kind of stupid since it's only a sheet at a time -- is SUPER strong, VERY difficult to pry off.) So I was a bit surprised to find it could only cut up to cardstock, and only one or two sheets at a time. But the other trimmers were like that, right? And this one's blade self-sharpens, so I'd never, ever need to worry about the blade.

So I put it to work, making Christmas surprise boxes for my year's cards. It was incredibly difficult at first to pull the blade back and forth ... but I figured it was breaking in or something, and eventually it did ease up. What did NOT ease up was the horrible squealing noise! It's what others have described, and it truly is ear-piercing, fingers-on-the-chalkboard bad. I saw some posts that talked about a couple of drops of sewing machine oil, but this is a paper cutter!!

OK. Holidays pass, it's busy, have a couple of birthdays and use the trimmer pretty sparsely till about a week and a half ago. Pulled it out and brought it to a class at a local scrapbook store. Used it, and it actually jaggedy-edge ripped my paper. I tried blowing out the bits of paper dust I could see inside the groove, but no improvement. So I called Making Memories the next business day.

The woman who answered was pleasant, but very, very rushed. She threw out a couple of answers to my questions but obviously was in a hurry to move on. Turns out, my blade was out of alignment and she'd e-mail me an instruction sheet to realign it. That horrible noise? It's the arm where the blade slides along ... just a couple of drops of oil, she said. I couldn't even get a "Thank you" out before the phone was hung up. The e-mail arrived seconds later.

Wow, I thought. Kinda scary that this is such a big problem they have an insta-e-mail response. So I followed the instructions and it turned out that yes, indeed, my blade was out of alignment. It's not suppose to be in the groove where all the paper dust has been trapped. It's suppose to be OUTSIDE the edge. (OK. WHY is there a groove there in the first place? It's not like something slides along there. Design flaw for sure.)

SO I moved it back into place and pulled the blade back and forth a few times to resharpen it, as instructed. WOW! Not only was the horrible squealing noise gone, the blade zipped along the track like butter ... just like all the reviews said!! Only ... my paper was not being evenly cut. Still. I tried a few more times, and no luck. Decided to call MM back.

Go to the Web site and request a replacement product, I was told. I did, and then was told I needed to furnish a receipt. Well, after I'd had the trimmer for a few weeks, I recycled the receipt and the box. With so many glowing reviews, why would I need to keep it? After much back and forth, I got absolutely nowhere. And guess what? They don't bother to sell the blade or blade compartment by itself. So now I have a piece of landfill-er.

I don't understand, 1. WHY isn't there a warranty card to return? 2. WHY are there NO instructions to indicate such a problem exists? Apparently if people try to cut inappropriate amounts of paper, it's going to throw the blade out of alignment. I never did this, and in fact am certain that my blade was out of alignment the entire time I had the trimmer. How would I have known? But it's a big enough problem they have a ready-to-send e-mail.

I went around and around and around, pointing out how much money has been invested in this company by the scrapping community, and every other sentence in response was, "I'm really so very sorry."

Well, I'm really so very sorry I ever bought this product. This was a major thing for me, and now I feel like I was selfish in taking money from my family to buy something for myself. I was hopeful I could sell some crafts this summer to bring in a little bit of money, but I won't have a trimmer to help in this.

So THERE!!

2010-03-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

Determination's certainly what got her here, but my little Butterfly's determination ... whew.

I'm a pretty stubborn woman, and have learned the hard way how to manage my persistence. I'm probably about 35 percent successful. So I worry for my daughter, and while I of course try and will always try to help her manage, she's ... well ... probably going to do it her own way anyway.

It's hard not to look at how my Elephant was at that age and compare. He had about three temper tantrums ... TOTAL. I'd just let him throw the fit wherever we were. I'd stand a little bit away and tell him to let me know when he was done and we would talk. People would stare, but I didn't care ... and it worked!

((Now, he's working on his lawyer skills and driving me crazy with his questions questions questions about why he has to do or not do something. It's a good quality, sure, since all "bad" qualities are good qualities when you look at them the right way. But sometimes I just want to hear the lovelygloriousbeautiful words, "Yes, Mama" when I ask him to clean his room, and not begin a philosophical discourse.))

My Butterfly, though ... Her temper tantrums are epic. She screams this high-pitched scream like her eyes are being poked out. And she's so damn cute, people ALWAYS interfere. "Oh, you poor little thing! Your mother must be torturing you in some horrendous manner. Let me just buy you this pony and airplane and you'll be all better."

But the thing is, strangers' interference wouldn't matter anyway. She's not dissuaded at ALL by my "I'll stand over here till you're done" routine.

That's my girl.

Yummy day

2010-02-27T19:12:00.001-08:00

Took the kids to this cute cupcake and coffee place (restaurant? diner? What do you call an establishment that actually sells frosting shots??) as a spur of the moment treat today. Sorry about the photo quality; I can't seem to remember my camera anymore and the G1 takes really wretched photos.

"I'll take this one and this one and this one ... "

" ... and this one and this one ... "

"Yes, these will do."

"I decree every day to be Cupcake Day!"

And in case you're wondering why all the photos are of Butterfly lately, it's because the Elephant seems unable to smile nicely for the camera now that he's 9. So if you have your heart set on seeing see blurry, weird faces, head to Google. I did manage to sneak this photo:

"If you start yelling right about here like you're having a tantrum, I can sneak in right over here and grab the chocolate ones."

When we left to go to a couple of antique stores (where I discovered Little Blue Books and a new collecting hobby, though I'm sticking with just the first 100), this is what greeted us outside:

Sheesh. Next time, we'll stay inside eating more cupcakes.

And other days ...

2010-02-25T00:06:00.000-08:00

I have so much love for them, I can hardly contain it!

Insane in the mom brain

2010-02-22T23:19:00.000-08:00

Some days it gets really, really close to me doing something seriously crazy ... like booking the most expensive room in the most expensive hotel I can find here in Seattle. Then just leaving for the night.

tod·dler
Pronunciation: \ˈtäd-lər, ˈtä-dəl-ər\Function: noun
Date: 1793
: one that toddles; especially : a young child
— tod·dler·hood \-ˌhu̇d\ noun
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toddler

Sounds so simple, doesn't it? Obviously, Webster and/or Merriam were men.

Some days with my little family are ... the days where I'm finally going pee after six hours of needing to go, and Butterfly's banging on the door while screaming at the top of her lungs because I won't let her in, then when my heart can't take it, I let her in, then I start thinking about how there's no me left in me or I am a woman buried so deeply down I won't ever find myself again, and I don't even have my own room and that's why I get so frustrated when Elephant creatively dissassembles my freshly made bed and I snap at him though I've vowed to be more patient, and so then I'm not only sitting on the pot comforting a snot-coated, red-faced, aggrieved baby, I'm now a snot-coated, red-faced, aggrieved adult ...

And the little scary parts start to surface, those questions, questions, worries. I describe it as akin to patting your pockets before you set out the door, ensuring you haven't forgotten something. Only my pocket-patting is mental and boils down to: "If I think this, does this mean I'm on the way to being like my mother after all?" (Sometimes I worry it means I'm going to be like my dad, but he's still here, he didn't abandon my sister and I when we were babies, so becoming him is a bit more forgiveable.)

I'm always looking for a reason why my mom left, though I don't blame myself like I used to (which is a serious bitch ... a child blaming herself for an adult's actions). While I want to believe it's because she's just insane and stupid, some part of me is on precarious patrol, alert to the emergence of a genetic link. I don't WANT to be like her. So how to explain/justify those days when I want to flee?

But ... As I'm picturing myself in a hot tub miles above my beautiful twinkling-at-night city, lush robe at the ready and a fantastic bed all to myself, room service just a tap on the phone away ... the sweet smell of my daughter's hair rises, pulling me back to my senses. Her little arms are holding me as tightly as they possibly can. My son knocks gently on the door, quietly letting me know he's put the bed back together. And when I finally wipe the last tear away and emerge from the bathroom, he's still there, because he wants to hug me and tell me he's sorry.

So ... I realize how sad I would be to be alone in a stunning hotel above the city.

To be experiencing something so fun without my children.

Upcycled ... A Cricut project!

2010-02-16T21:00:00.001-08:00

OK, damn it. I forgot to blog on this project, which recycles one of Earth's most annoying products: old Christmas wrap. So let's look at it this way: ANY wrap will do.

Step 1: (left) Choose your paper. If you're like me and in love with paper, you save the most ridiculous stuff. You know what I mean ... it's just a little snip you're going to scrapbook ... someday ... But it's NOT so much that you've become a candidate for that "Hoarders" show. (Just keep repeating that last sentence and we'll all be fine.)

Step 2: (right) Smooth it nicely onto your sticky mat, ensuring there aren't any ripped bits that could get caught in the machinery. You could theoretically trim the sheets down, but that would verge too dangerously away from the insanity of the creative process. It's all about leaving things to chance and all ... measuring once and cutting twice. You know.

Step 3: (left) After sending it through the Cricut (not shown; you can figure that out, hunh? :) ), catch an end and peel up. This is what I call the magic step, seeing what you got as the little cutouts are revealed. (And as a side note, see that swipe of white paint there on the right? This is my dining room table. That paint has been there since, oh, I'm guessing 1987. That's how often we actually use the dining room table to eat. I'm dedicated to my craft, hunh?)

Step 4: (above) Well ... there really isn't a Step 4. I just had this extra photo.

Think about how cool this would be if, for example, you took some of the birthday wrap from your little girl or boy's birthday presents and cut out cupcakes. I bet THOSE would go in a scrapbook before the kid turns 29, now wouldn't they?

That's what I keep telling myself.

All you need is love ...

2010-02-12T01:41:00.000-08:00

That's what the cute little sign hanging from The Butterfly's door says, and I'd like to believe it's true.

This weekend, to coincide with Valentine's Day, animal shelters across the U.S. have "Second Chance at Love"-type adoptathons. The shelter for which I volunteer is no different, and I was asked to make some valentines to hang from the kitty cubby windows. I had some fun with these puppies ... er -- valentines.

So it's probably a no-brainer that I'll end up your neighborhood Crazy Cat Lady, but the stories of the cats I've helped care for might help you understand why.

There was a tortie whose jaw was so misshapen, she had a hard time chewing solid food, so we only gave her soft. She was the sweetest girl you can imagine; she went to a great family. Her deformed mouth wasn't a birth defect. Someone had used her for target practice.

Chuck Norris is one of our current residents. He's 8 years old and huge, a big old Russian blue with the tiniest mew. He's very intimidating looking (only looking) ... which makes it all the more touching when you watch him groom kittens.

Padre is another old boy, only he's 12. He's 21 pounds of pure sweetness, an enormous two-armload of tuxedo-colored purrs. He lived his life with his sister, in the care of someone who just had to surrender them both because this person lost his/her job. It's a very common story lately.

I once saw a ruffled torbie girl. She was brought in by her owner, flea-infested and ravished. Cleaned up, defleaed and two full cans of food later, her joy could not be contained as she gazed that gaze only cats can do, purred loudly enough to be heard a foot away and kneaded her paws. She was 14; the woman who surrendered her said she'd had the kitty her whole life, but now the kitty was "boring." I left that day intending to bring the sweetheart home, damn the number of cats already in my house. Someone else beat me to it, and this doll will have the beauty and love she deserves for the last few years of her life.

Sometimes, it's hard to let their stories go. People can be so unaccountably cruel.

And then you hear the other tales ... Like the one about Stille Nacht. He's a beautiful long-haired black kitten, 8 months old and HUGE. His name comes from the white star on his chest, and the kind woman who finally managed to rescue him from the streets, right at Christmas time. She figured he must've been managing on his own for about two months ... surviving despite coyotes, cougars and cars. A little Christmas boy, gentle as his name: Silent Night.

All these animals need is a second chance. All they need is ... love.

I love you Butterfly

2010-01-20T00:34:00.000-08:00

I tucked my hand up tight for this photo. Curled my fingers tight against my palm.

Still in shock, I somehow moved forward to take photos. Against my better beliefs about all of this.

...

I just saw a TV show about a woman who had five babies, and of course they were preemies. And I watched rapt, waiting to relate. Because preemie families are always related. By terms and struggles and common jargon.

I'm suppose to be "over" this. Mostly, I have come to terms. But sometimes the unexpected resonates.

And as the mom on the show said something I hadn't before known how to put into words, BOOM. Our connection was established. She was talking about looking back at photos of her babies after they were just born. And how at the time she photographed them, she celebrated their health. But the truth revealed itself later as she looked back ... Hindsight Truth.

She looked back at those photos of her children born before they were suppose to be born. And this is what she said, very liberally paraphrased:

"I had been telling myself all along they were so perfect. But when I really saw those photos, looking back after they were older, I understood how truly ill my children were."

...

So ill.

I see my then-girl now, too ...

I didn't know.

...

Damn.

I hated so many of the pictures of her that I took then, when I forced myself. I self-edited before I even took the pictures. Her dad has some that I hate. {{some that repulse me there i said it}} She looks like she is in agony, as her body reacts to the outside environment it was not yet meant to be thrust into.

It contorts.

iamsorrybaby

...

I still feel that somehow it is my fault. Self-doubt ebbs but never fully dissipates. Sometimes it comes together enough again to form whole hurts, though those hurts are never as large as the time before.

And they still coalesce no matter how amazing my girl is now ... because she is so utterly amazing! She is so smart:) So FUNNY! Have you seen her be a dinosaur, imitating her brother as she stamps and stalks and growls? No?! Sorry, because you are missing an absolute treat!

...

I just read that 1% of babies are born at 25 weeks.

Did you catch that?

ONE PERCENT!

My girl! My miracle baby girl. Whose tiny hand ... I hung onto right away after she was rushed into this life.

The hand that was so much stronger than my own.

Look at me, world

2010-01-15T01:49:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a Flash class this quarter, and of the wee little bit I've learned so far, I really like it. Algebra, however, is another story. Anyway, I thought I'd share my first assignment.

It's hard to find free hosting for .swf files, so I had to do the best I could. When you go to this site you'll be hit with a couple of other ads: There's a square one in the middle and a banner under that one. But my Flash banner is under that and should be pretty obvious. It's of The Butterfly.

Please ... do let me know what you think?

1 a.m.

2010-01-11T00:49:00.001-08:00

The only sounds are divided equally on both sides of my head: On the right the clock is ticking and Dad's snores rise through the floorboards. On the left, the abandoned laptop hums its incessant reminder of waiting homework and the baby's soft breath tickles my earlobe.

Fifteen minutes earlier, her indignant footsteps patter-thumped down the hallway, her cries for me Doppler-trailing right after.

After they're asleep is when I can get to work for real, buckle down on this education I'm starting to wonder if I'm too old to learn. But this little girl has figured out my secret and she's not about to let me get away with it.

So her little head tucks under and along my jawbone, in the cradle of my neck; consumable-smelling soft hair cushions my cheek. Her little heart beats on mine and I am amazed again to remember when her entire body fit so compactly under my chin. Now her feet dangle, dangle and her entire head claims almost as much space as her body once did.

Sweet little skin, all sleepy-warm smelling. Striped jammies course by under my stroking hands.

Breathe, breathe little breaths.

Another hour or two of homework awaits. But maybe ... just one little break.

Taking the plunge

2010-01-03T23:39:00.000-08:00

The Polar Bear Plunge, that is.

We arrived about 25 minutes before the official start. There weren't so many folks there yet.

About 10 minutes later, there were LOTS of folks there;)

I was a bit relieved to see the medical personnel standing by. But with about 10 minutes to go, they left. Five minutes later, they were back ... suited up in scuba gear;)

Milling about.

Only a few people here and there were dressed in costume.

Yup. It was warmer in the water than outside the water. Technically, that is.

A few people start to shed outer layers.

We then huddle nervously by the start line. You can't see me dancing from foot to foot or swinging my arms back and forth ... but I was.

So long, suckas!

And it was cold. Super cold ... my body parts went numb, but at least I didn't have a heart attack:)

I'll be back next year. This was too fun ... why the heck did I not do this earlier in my life???

Leftovers, Part 2

2010-01-01T23:04:00.001-08:00

This isn't too much of a leftover since I just did it last week. So it'll be like the bridge between then and now.

I finally bought myself a Cricut Expression. As an avid scrapbooker, I've been eyeing the machine for a loooong time. But it's crazy expensive, retails for $400. So when Consumer Crafts had it for $150 on Cyber Monday, I jumped in. And yes, I purposefully put that link in there. Every time I've dealt with the company, it's been utterly perfect, utterly friendly service. Yay Consumer Crafts.

Anyway, the Cricut is an amazing kind of cutting machine. It's designed for paper, but you can "talk it" into cutting fabric, too, as long as there's some kind of backing on the fabric and you don't mind about half of what you have being wasted. It's easy for the Cricut blade to get caught up in the strings of the fabric if you're not careful, and anything under about 3" is tough to get to come out. But I had an idea.

Not being a seamstress or yarn/fabric/string/etc. person of any kind, I was excited to try out fabric and knew I wanted to start with something for a friend of mine who's expecting her second son in May. This is what I came up with!

(I'm sorry the first photo is sideways; I've tried to no avail to fix it. Reading online, I've discovered that apparently, Cannon has a weird quirk with photos sometimes displaying sideways.)

I was a little miffed when I finished ironing. After getting the letters cut for both pieces, the iron slipped a little and mungled the descender in the "g." Grrr.

I used the same fabric and font for both items, cutting the letters bigger and in boldface for the BIG shirt, and smaller, non-bold for LITTLE. Whew. The onsie took a few tries to get the letters outta there.

Originally, I'd planned to add the word brother to each piece, too. Hah!

Inspired, I went to the dollar store and picked up a couple of blankets to embellish. To see how those came out, hop on over to EandB Shoppe.

Leftovers ... Part 1

2009-12-29T21:16:00.000-08:00

So I am suppose to be creative here on this blog ... and it obviously hasn't been happening. It's not at all that I haven't been thinking about being creative here, it's that the process of photography--transferring photos to computer--organizing digital files--uploading photos sometimes isn't so fascinating to me when I'm doing the more mundane tasks of life. Like ... feeding my children. You know:)

Anyway, I HAVE been thinking of you, and in the spirit of not letting anything go to waste, I'm going to pick a couple of projects that I've done and share them here ... as outdated as they might be now that the holidays have passed.

I'd make a resolution to be better about staying on top of this stuff, but I'm way too honest to do so.

So. Without further ado, here is the project I did for The Elephant's class. It was really and truly a Halloween goody bag, but you know how pathetic the public education system has become about such things, so I had to disguise my true nefarious purpose as more of a celebrate-the-harvest-type thing (because you know we're all out harvesting ... um ... something). But don't worry. There were caramel and chocolate, foil-wrapped body parts in these bags.

Cleverly Disguised Halloween Goody Bags

Step 1.

Supplies: brown paper bags; raffia; nifty fun fabric of your liking; realistic-looking leaves (or, better yet, real ones. Unfortunately, we ... or rather, I, ... had waited too long and the real stuff outside was too authentically rotten to use). And don't forget the treats to stuff inside.

This is a photo of a brown paper bag. See? Artistic, isn't it?

Step 2.

Stuff bag, then fold as needed to fit your goodies inside.

Step 3.

Wrap long strings of the raffia around the bag to tie it closed, and make a cute little bow. Use your nifty fabric to tie the stem of the leaf to the raffia (or secure both however you see fit. I'm easy.)

Step 4.

Repeat process, oh, about 35 times (because classrooms are vastly overcrowded), and there you go!

Guest Blogger: The Elephant

2009-12-26T13:23:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's right, it's the one and only Elephant, here because I won't let him have his OWN blog. Yet.

**************

What I Got for Christmas

pirate flag
couple books
metal detector
Weird and Wild Creatures cards
Nintendo DS and six games
Liar's Dice game
stuffed bear
Build A Bear suit
"Allosaurus" and "Jurassic Park 3"
stuffed zebra made from alpaca hair
Dig and Glow dinosaur game
"How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You"
"Life-size Dinosaurs"
"It Came from Bob's Basement"
Lego Power Miners
Club Penguin Cardjitsu
bunch of Pokemon cards
"Penguin Life"
bubble bath and soap
SpongeBob jammies
shirts
Club Penguin stuffed animals and books
chalk
Disney pens
"Pokemon" movie
"Night at the Museum 2"
"Up" with an adventure journal
fake boogers
hot cocoa mix and chocolates and candy

**************

I'd just like to note that these gifts are from various relatives and three households.

Poor kid.

All is well

2009-12-14T19:22:00.000-08:00

We're ready for the holiday! Pile of presents under the tree enough for about, oh, 40 kids. Santa photo taken. And The Butterfly is back to the perfection of health. (Not that I mean to tempt anything ... I'm just grateful.)

Health Care Reform Example #76567688

2009-12-02T18:45:00.000-08:00

I can't believe this massive fuckery. The Girl is sick, some kind of virus that causes her to projectile vomit. Took her to the hospital last night; they gave her an anti-nausea pill that allows her to keep fluids down to stay hydrated. Wrote an RX for more. Today, I attempted to fill that RX, but the state-sponsored health insurance, which I was forced to put my daughter on when my previous employer fucked us all over, does not cover this massively expensive anti-nausea med so gave us a liquid alternative. Guess what? The Girl projectile vomits this liquid alternative. So I might end up taking her to the ER again ... which will cost you, the American taxpayer, far more than the original medicine would have. Here's the real ass-reaming component: As I'm reading the printed material that came with the liquid drug to figure out the name of the ER doctor from last night, I discover the drug information sheets are printed by ... yes, my previous employer: The Hearst Corp. So let me say right now: FUCK YOU, HEARST CORP!

When?

2009-11-24T23:06:00.001-08:00

When did your voice start to slide irreversibly toward teenager, adulthood, beyond?

When did your fingers lengthen so drastically, losing baby fat as they transformed into slim boyhands, manhands?

When was the last time I saw the rolls in your thighs? When did that very last babyroll smooth into oblivion?

When did you become a boy who so loves video games?

When did you understand so completely Pokemon? (And chastise my pronunciation?)

When did I think I understood the giddy joy a certain girl brings to you?

When did you become so clever, so witty, so surprisingly astute in the reality of modern life?

When did you become soooo tall? When did your legs get THAT long?

When did your hair change from babysilk to thick gorgeousness?

When was the last time I saw your little tush? When did it not become a little tush anymore?

When did I accept these changes?

Mmm hmm. That's right.

When

this all happened ...

Beyond me ...

and never, in

Mama's memories.

Happiness and Joy

2009-11-07T00:16:00.001-08:00

I Get This, These "testicles on my chin"

2009-10-28T01:49:00.000-07:00

Through one of those roundabout processes too complicated to explain (and yet I would still be willing if you asked because that's just the kinda gal I am), I was exposed to the following link.

It's no secret how I feel about Mike Rowe and his existence in my life. He is so many of the admirable things I find in a human being. And after watching this video, I appreciate him all the more.

I was ... no, AM ... the daughter of a steel mill worker. Even more, I am the oldest daughter of a single steel mill worker, meaning as the oldest female in the household, I took on the roles of worrying and cleaning, thrust upon me beyond my choice and before I came to understand and celebrate my feminism and my female liberty. I mothered my younger sister and I learned the value of hard work. I learned about food stamps and government-issue cheese and butter, and about mold and how the children in my neighborhood would pity my family for being without a mother.

I saw my dad come home with burns on his skin, on his arms where the fire burned through any joke of protective clothing. I heard the stories of how steel-toed boots offered at best a false sense of protection when a stronger force deemed to exert its will. Dad told so many stories of the men forced on disability by a stronger will than their own ... and unfortunately, too often those stories were tinged with envy. The men he spoke of, you see, were done with their working time.

That's part of what struck me the most about the video that looms just beyond my diatribe. It's a speech given by Mike Rowe, Mr. "Dirty Jobs." Near the end, he talks about coming to a critical realization suddenly while filming a segment that found him with "testicles on my chin." He talks about how our society has come to castigate the notion of hard work, how we celebrate the escape from it, and in turn, create a class of worker to be shunned ... when the reality is this person who works the hardest is the one to be celebrated.

It's funny. And it's no secret that I lost my own job back in March. Hell, our country lost an INDUSTRY, the industry in which I worked. So when I hear someone wax philosophical about work, my interest is piqued. And yet the kind of work we're talking about here doesn't have time for piqued interests. It's too busy.

Working.

Butterfly's Big Day

2009-10-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

Too tired to add photos right now, a somewhat-tedious process of firing up my computer (I'm using Elephant's laptop right now), plugging in the camera, downloading to my computer, uploading to the Internet ... But I couldn't let the day end without a final bit of musing on my little girl's second birthday.

Even though it's been those two years since the trauma of her birth, it's all quite fresh in my mind sometimes. Tonight would be one of those times.

It's probably quite ridiculous, I suppose. She's healthy and happy, loving and tender, smart and kind. We're all so very, very lucky to have her in our lives, especially since she was a Surprise Baby. But I still see that tiny little being of 23 ounces, the one I first met who became my very special little girl. I still sense that disconnect, that disbelief that I am so lucky to have my little miracle. That worry, here let me just say it already, that she could so easily be taken away. I have learned, after all, how precious and fragile is this life.

But she is so tenacious. No matter how much fragility haunts the inner recesses of my soul, I just have to picture her cheeky laugh as she replicates one, then another, physical stunt of her brother's. They have this toy barn, one of the Little Tykes or Fisher Price plastic numbers, about two feet tall, they love to play together with. In fact, I gave Butterfly a set of barn animals today to add to the fun, seeing as how a certain book is her favorite. Anyway, she LOVES to climb up on top of the barn, straddling it like it's a pony. (How funny. I just saw the irony in that.) She's a daredevil, hanging from the monkey bars, climbing onto the dining room table not long after learning to just walk ... and so on.

Funny, too, is my girl. Learning that as well from her Ubba. Ah, but you know all this, how much I love the two of them. How gracious this world was to bring them into my life.

So .. I am thankful, even as this life passes too quickly by, as the wee little baby who once fit into my cupped hands rips the paper off of birthday packages with such amazing gusto.

Happy Birthday, Butterfly!

Small Art Challenge

2009-10-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

Second challenge for The Pink Couch.

Whipped together, lol, in about five minutes from after-party bits.

It's a 4"x4" card, ripped edge. The center part is from a blower-noisemaker; the braid at bottom is from crepe paper/streamers (purple tie and yellow part), a ribbon from a gift (orange part) and the rest of the blower-noisemaker-- the cardboard part you blow into -- (the blue part.) The flowers are torn bits of wrapping paper, with a tiny crumpled ball of wrapping paper for the center.

Thanks for this super fun!

Tag Challenge

2009-10-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

This tag is for the challenge over at The Pink Couch.

It's in celebration of my Birthday Girl, turning 2 today! Yes, I stopped party preps to do this, lol.

It's a cupcake wrapper base, with bits of party napkin along with crepe paper flowers topped with buttons, and birthday candles. The hanger is from a package of brand new tights ... opened just for the birthday party!!

Friends;)

2009-10-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

This one comes courtesy of Kerrie. (OK, and how freaking cool is it that I just blasted off the coding for that link without a second thought ... skool is working! I'm gitting smerter at web stuf!")

Anyway, Kerrie, an inspiration as you'll find out reading about her amazing accomplishment-so-far, points out that lots of bloggers have their niche ideas for their blogs; Kerrie's going to start a Thank You Thursday.

Another blogger, Tara at The Pink Couch, plans an all-day Blog Party on Saturday, with games and prizes every couple of hours. I'll try to stop in, because it'd be fabulous to win one of her amazing creations (check it out. See? I don't lie, do I?) but it's Butterfly's Big Day, so we'll see.

Let's see ... I'd also like to mention Mai Ling, whose cooking makes one weep with joy ... and is a wonderful friend, and Amy, who writes about life with a kind of grace and honesty rarely found.

As for me, I have a hard enough time with regular stuff, so I'm afraid I can't make such a commitment as a regular Thursday event. (I haven't even filled out my blogroll yet!) But I'll pick up this fun little challenge, also from Kerrie, and pass it along. The rules, she says, "are to use only one word to answer the questions below, then pass it on to six (only six?!) fellow bloggers and tell them you did so."

1. Where is your cell phone? Table
2. Your hair? Ponytail
3. Your mother? Pathetic
4. Your father? Tender
5. Your favorite food? Indian
6. Your dream last night? Usual
7. Your favorite drink? Coffee
8. Your dream/goal? Employment
9. What room are you in? Living
10. Your hobby? Everything
11. Your fear? Victimization
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Mothering
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren't? Content
15. Muffins? Chocolate
16. Wish list item? Slice (handy link provided)
17. Where did you grow up? Seattle
18. Last thing you did? Class
19. What are you wearing? Clothes
20. Your TV? On
21. Your pets? Family
22. Friends? Irreplaceable
23. Your life? sigh
24. Your mood? Crazy
25. Missing someone? Constantly
26. Vehicle? Two
27. Something you're not wearing? Ring
28. Your favorite store? Book
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? Class
31. Last time you cried? Earlier
32. Your best friend? Children
33. One place that I could go over and over? Anywhere
34. One person who emails you regularly? Many
35. Favorite place to eat? C (get it? hee)

This One Speaks for Itself;)

2009-10-19T20:24:00.001-07:00

Clouds and colors

2009-10-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

It was so beautiful this fall weekend. For about 15 minutes, the most ethereal, Halloweeny clouds wisped their way across the broad blue sky.

Attempts to leave the park were pre-empted by a gorgeous fall display just begging to be caught and shared.

Of course, I am lucky enough to have my own burst of gorgeous red every single day, regardless of season.

Life as a Blog Post

2009-10-12T01:24:00.000-07:00

We've been busy the past few days, and ironically I kept thinking as I snapped photos how the content would be perfection for this blog. The ideas involve those photos, however, and as it's 1:25 a.m. and I'm set to get up at 7:15 a.m., I mostly wanted to throw in a tease for you and let you know I'm still here and will be back soon ...

Autumn

2009-10-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

Here's something my fair city does right: October days.

There's nothing like October in Seattle. Oct. 1 dawns with a glory of riotous color in the leaves of trees, and the month walks out on the 31st naked-branched and content, certain of its accomplishment in chaperoning summer into winter.

The days in between are breathtakingly frigid, a shock to the system after an especially overly hot summer this year. Walking outside, your face trails puffs of your breath whose warmth is stolen quickly away.

And the sky! Oh, the sky! Such a startlingly pure blue it hurts the eyes to look at it. The clarity of color, absolute in its perfection. An exquisite backdrop for the indescribable joy of the leaves.

The flannel sheets are located, buried deep in the linen closet, accompanied by the flutter of a distant memory of disbelief they'd ever be of use again. The extra quilt looms large and fluffy on the bed, sheer joy to slide under on nights that herald the return of cold floors.

I love these days.

Random Musings

2009-09-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

I keep thinking of how silly E is with his stories and tales, and how he is able to put complex ideas together weeks and weeks after conversations about disparate subjects. The time changes so quickly. Here he is, a lanky 9-year-old already.

I remember the day about three years ago when he was so tired when I picked him up from school. I asked him if he was OK. "Yeah," he replied. "I didn't have a chance to take a nap in school today."

That laugh popped into my head when I got him today. He informed me, "Mama, it was SO weird! I was sitting in class when suddenly I just got SO tired! I told (his teacher), 'I think I have the sleep bacteria in my brain.' "

Speaking of ... something new with the girl today. She's been singing a TON lately, to her babies and just in general. She does this cute sing-song of "Ma-maaaaa Ma-maaaa" and so on.

On the way to pick up her brother, I watched as she pulled her blankie up to stroke along her cheek as she sang to herself. And she sang herself right to sleep. I completely broke down at the sweetness of it.

I hope my little girl never, ever loses this gentle, loving side.

FOR SALE: Paper Bag Albums

2009-09-24T14:07:00.001-07:00

Check out my Etsy shop.

I'm finally getting started, listing three things (so far) with more to come ...

Please pass this along. I appreciate it!

Playing all day

2009-09-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

"The Big Red Barn," by Margaret Wise Brown, is one of my favorite childrens books ever. I like it, dare I admit, even more than "Goodnight Moon" (though not as much as "Runaway Bunny.") Brown's style lulls and soothes, enchants the children she respected enough not to speak down to. It also enchants adults.

It doesn't take much to make a child happy ... playing all day, whether it's in grass or hay or not, is certainly a key start.

A little imagination turns an overcrowded kitchen table into a marvelous hideout ...

... at least until the kitty discovers where you are.

The verdict? I think she's pretty thrilled with Mama's construction.

Of course, sunny days call for venturing outside. And when a child comes to visit Mama in her crafting shed, you never know when that Mama might decide to swab on some paint to capture growing footprints ...

... or even write a secret message in acrylics and ink right on your belly!

Silly Mama!

Playing all day in the grass and in the hay? That calls for a story.

Little bitta

2009-09-16T01:58:00.000-07:00

Butterfly is so amazing. I don't know that I can fully explain why. I watch her silliness, her comical side, and I love her all the more.

Elephant ... Well, he has his Butterfly who has worshipped him from Day 1, and he also has another sister. A sister who now can crawl after him down hallways.

Or so he tells me. I am only responsible for the one sister in his life, after all, the sister who came first on fragile, freshly sprung butterfly wings.

So I try to tell my tall, handsome Elephant, who I love absolutely utterly, that he is lucky to have two little girls who love him adoringly.

But, um ... Yeah.

Hell-O!

He is a 9-year-old boy. A boy who yearns to break free of adoration, just for a moment. To escape into his room, his too-crowded-with-toys-and-junk room. To close the door away from his Butterfly.

His little Butterfly, whose adoration causes her to pad quickly after him ... and then pound, furiously, on the closed door before her.