Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year!!



I'm just poppin in for my last blog entry of 2007! Just a little break from our little party to wish you all a good one!

It's cliche, but just where did this year go?!

So cheers! And have a drink for me! I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008, and let's pray for peace for our planet this year!!

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Mural for Musical



One of the things that I did while in my blogging absence was assist with this mural.

My son's teacher asked me if I would help with the backdrop for the kid's musical/play. I normally would love to do something like this, but I had only wished it wasn't 2 weeks before Christmas! She couldn't have choosen a worse time to have to do a large project like this!

Luckily, the anticipation of it was far worse than the actual doing of it.

I quickly sketched some ideas at home. Got the large butcher paper from the school. Taped together four LARGE pieces of it (that was actually the hardest part since I had no help with it. This part would definitely be a lot easier with at least one adult helper.) Then I drew out the design. The kids came into the art room in groups of 5 and painted it. I supplied their pallettes. By fifth grade they should be over the incredible desire to just mix the colors into a big mess. Well most were, all but one!

We surprisingly got finished with just one session, each group coming to paint for 15 minutes each (27 kids). I quickly did some finishing touches like outlining with black.

It turned out pretty cute, I thought. And it fit in well with their "Brown County Fair" musical, which was based on tall tales of America. Nothing beats children singing and performing at Christmas time!!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

An Exceptional Night, Leads to an Exceptional Sickness



Yes it's true, I, like so many others, have been sick!

On December 12 I had the most incredible night out, seeing the beloved Squirrel Nut Zippers! And what a night it was! Thanks to Wesley, we were able to go back stage after the show and meet them! We got pictures, and Wesley got some autographs (along with some little doodles.) It was very cool, and he was jazzed to share some of his sketch book with the band. They were very nice, and the show was so excellent. I'm ready to see them again. They've got to be one of my favorites of all time!! So many thanks go out to my bestest of girlfriends for the tickets!



I love this photo of Katharine Whalen, She's really looking at Wes, and giving him a smile! She always dresses so wonderfully, and her voice is amazing. Kind of Billie Holiday meets Betty Boop. I love it. I also always love Jimbo Mathus, the singer-songwriter-guitarist-extraordinaire. They are so much fun to watch, and dance to. I'll be looking for their return to the West Coast. Here's another good link to their unofficial site.

Anyway, because all of my allergies lately, and some complications from that, a simple cold became one of the worst cases of coughing fits I've had in a long time. I was having the worst tickles, and it lasted for the 12 days of Christmas! Finally, THE day before Christmas Eve I was feeling almost back to normal. Because of it, my Christmas plans were really skrewed up! I didn't get my cards out, didn't make the gifts I planned on making, didn't do all of my baking, didn't update my blog with lots of pretty stuff, etc, etc, etc. Oh well, sometimes you've just got to let things go, and accept them for what they are. You can't always be a Martha Stewart Christmas Wonder!

So I've got some updating to do on this here blog. Because some of the things that happened have got to be shared, if even for only myself.

I do hope that all of you who celebrate, had an enjoyable Christmas!!!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

No Way!!

cash advance

Cash Advance Loans



I saw this in blog land and just out of curiosity had to try it. While typing in my address I was thinking that I must be elementary school level. But no! To my honest amazement... My lil' ol' Blog's a genius!!

Their stats must be a little hay wire!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Sassy Elves and Sassy Windows



In yesterday's post I talked about my first real Christmas tree in a long time. What I was meaning was my "main" tree. I've actually had a small tree in my bedroom for a few years. I use to get a small potted variety. Last year I got this cute, retro style of tree in green, and added these cool purple-pink lights to my window. I've repeated it this year. I love the look!



I printed up some more of my Sassy Elf Christmas cards today. They're available at my Etsy shop. I must get my new design ready, carved, and printed soon... like tomorrow!! I thought I'd get it done today, but now it's pretty late and I've got some package preparations to do. Brad will have to do the mailing for me, since we've only got one vehicle shoveled out. Oh darn, I've got to stay home! I actually enjoy it. Some times I just need a break from the social scene at the school. Snow's a great excuse!

Sunday, December 09, 2007

My Christmas Tree



The little storm from yesterday turned into quite a dumping! That made for a stay-at-home kind of day. Cold and beautiful!



We've been decorating a little at a time. I needed a tree topper so I thought I'd make one. I got this dove at my local thrift store. I cut the wings off and glued on just a piece of the wing.(The original wings were just too big, and the real feathers didn't glitter well) Glittered it silver, made a pink-glittered, Good-Witch-Glenda crown, and gave it a little message to hold. He looks rather stoic perched proudly at the top.



This is actually my first "real" Christmas tree since I grew up. In the past, for many years, I had a manzanita branch for a tree. I was suddenly ready for a change. I found it at the local thrift store. It was in an enormous box, and they just didn't want to put it together to see if it was complete. So what a score for me! The over load of ornaments works, and looks, way better than on the manzanita. A branch was fun and unique. But this new tree is very refreshing, and I'm lovin it!!

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Snow Flakes Inside - Snow Flakes Outside


Last night we were busy making some snowflakes. Later in the night we had out first snow of the season!

The large rainstorm last weekend, rain all day yesterday, and now snow most of the day today... How glorious to have the moisture, and to help end our drought! Ah, the relief of the fire danger season ending, or at least a break in it for a while!

Today we made some more snow flakes and decorated our front door windows. Thanks to our room parent, Barbara M., Wesley has been very inspired to make lots of these. They look red in this no flash pix, but we actually made pink and white.

A few years back I read about a family who had a holiday tradition where they had a snowflake night. They would cut their flakes, then have contests on most prettiest and other assorted categories. They would have a full celebration of the snowflake, and enjoy hot chocolate and goodies for this night. We had a little version, years ago when Wesley was 3 or 4. We didn't carry on with the tradition like the other family. But we did have a good time cutting these out, and they look so festive in our window, with our winter wonderland outside!

Friday, December 07, 2007

Etsy Pick-O-The-Week - papermoongallery


I have been in love with the little characters created over at papermoongallery for quite some time! How could you not instantly love these little whimsies?! This chihuahua is such a riot! Too cute!

There are little creations made of felted wool, as well as papier mache. The quality is stunning. What unique, fun gifts these would make! Especially if they were addressed to me!!

Find her website here. And how cool, Kerry's made the cover of Art Doll Quarterly!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Retro Christmas!


I love all things retro when it comes to Christmas! I seem to enjoy the kitchier-side of Christmas, rather than the perfectly trimmed, serious stuff. Although I really do love ALL Things Christmas, really!

While at my mother's house this weekend, we helped her with her tree. She's got a lot of wonderful goodies as well! This little treasure was found at a yard sale a couple of years ago. I was so jealous that I hadn't found it! I love this trio of carolers. And it's a music box too!



These 2 little elves are some of my all time favorites! They use to belong to my ex-step Dad, but they mysteriously ended up with my mom after the split. That's one reason I love them so much, just happy memories. Sorry, Bob G. but I really think we (or at least myself) loved them ever-so-much more than you ever could!! I have a collection of Christmas elves and these probably started my love affair with them!

We are still in the process of putting on the holiday duds in our house. I hope to share some pix soon!