Proof of the Chaos that is My Life

(I know, you are all shocked to see an actual post...I am too.)

I am nothing but busy these days and it seems that when I get a minute to myself all I want to do is sit on the couch, turn on horribly bad TV and just veg out with a cocktail in my hand.
All those years I thought I was busy don't even hold a candle to the stress I am experiencing these days.
I am missing my slacker job more than I thought I would.
I definitely miss being home at 3:30p every afternoon.
And I definitely miss being able to be online and visit all my online buddies, see what they are up to, see how big their kids are getting, see all the cool things going on.
I feel very outta the loop these days.
And I miss you guys.
No, seriously...I really miss my online life.

The kid is keeping me busy as usual when I am at home.
We are in Science Fair mode again and since we placed 4th in the school last year, the kid has aspirations that he will win it all this year.
Which translated means that mom needs to step it up this year.

Friday I actually made my way down south to meet up with the stamping divas.
Michele, Joanne, Kim, Sharon and Lynda were all there.
So good to hang with some crafty girls and absorb some mojo.
(mine is wearing a little thin these days)
And I brought this little card as our project of the night.


Then Saturday I found myself at this school for a High School fair for the kid.
(I didn't want to believe he was old enough for a high school fair either!)
And they were prepping for interview questions to get into some of the best high schools in the country.
It was like college stuff, seriously.
And the kid was wearing the horrid 70s Brady jacket as I have been referring to it.
It is awful and I hate it.
And he LOVES it.
Here's a blurry glance for everyone that I have been trying to describe it to.
And I love this picture, doesn't he look so grown up?
And this blurry one is my new fav, even blurry.
He looks so mature.
And those eyes...no wonder he is popular with the ladies.
He is still dying to get into the top high school in the state. (#14 in the country)
And it is almost impossible.
He is also interested in a couple private schools in the city, one of which the fair was held.
And it is only $26k a year for them!
What a bargain.
But if he gets into one of them (with a full scholarship of course because there is no way in the world we could afford that), he would get to look out at this every day.

I am still creating like a mad woman.
I know you wouldn't know it if you looked at this blog .
But trust me, I am.
My current fav is this little planner I created as a class for the store.
More details (and projects) are on the CraftFancy blog.

And here are just a few more things to prove that I am still a crafty chick...






These last two cards are the latest additions to the Where Are They Now? Gallery.
It seems that people with sticky fingers also like cards.
My list of stolen cards is growing at a more alarming rate than I anticipated.
I make sure I take pictures before I place anything out in the store anymore, I have to.
And that is sad.

I hope everyone is well.
I don't blog hop at all anymore, so drop me a line, leave a comment.
What's up people??
(miss ya!)

Happy Post Halloween

Well, the brat kid decided to go beg for candy last night afterall.
I didn't even have to beg as I had planned all day, he had his mind made up when he got home from school.
"Was thinking mom, I think I should go trick-or-treating, free candy is better than paying."
I think it was all the hype at school with kids talking about the boatload of sweets they were going to collect that made him suddenly change his mind.
Although, if you ask him, he just decided himself.
RRRRRIIIIGGGHHHHTTTT!

So I was his candy pimp, sending him to as many houses as I could in as short a period of time because it was only 45 degrees last night and momma was cold.
I had the camera in tow.
But the brat kid, wouldn't let me take any pictures.
I snuck this one in when he wasn't paying attention and wasn't explaining to me why he didn't want any photos.
"You see mom, sometimes a kid...."
"If you keep taking pictures then the fun is..."

Whatever.
We didn't hit nearly as many houses as we did last year.
He wasn't in the marathon mode that he once was.
So we didn't beat last year's record of 11 lbs, but we still had plenty.

And he actually let me take this picture of him because grandma was getting a picture at her super-duper decked out house.
He would never say no to the lady who handed him a bag of candy and $10.
Just me.

And it is Science Fair season once again in the Chicagoland area.
So we've been experimenting and researching and working on our project.
I have never been a fan of Science and definitely not a fan of anything that comes home from school with the word PROJECT typed on the top.
But I have been trying to make the best of it and make it seem like Science is the funnest thing ever!
WOO HOO SCIENCE!!!

Just don't tell the kid I almost failed all my Science classes in high school and the highest grade I ever got was a 'D'.
Shhhhh...he thinks I know what I am doing, although I hooked up this battery wrong 3 times and blamed it on the colors of the wires.

It's Alive....Alive!

Is she dead?

Naw, I am alive and now well.
Thanks for all the concerned emails about whether or not I may have fallen off the planet or died...I appreciate it.
Rest assured, if I were dead, I woulda posted on my blog from my afterlife and apologize.

I got extremely sick a week ago and was out of commission for a few days, no work, no cohesive thoughts. Just me, worshipping the porcelain god for a while.
And after I was once again able to consume liquids, it still took me a couple days to shake that walking dead feeling.
Then, when I was back to me, I had to deal with the aftermath of what happens when the mommy and solo employee is dead to the world for a while.
It wasn't pretty.
My house coulda been condemned, easily.
Imagine...an 11 year old boy who suddenly has all the freedom in the world to throw dirty socks into every corner of the house, never rinse a plate and just leave things where they lie for about 4 days.
It was a nightmare.

So, I am still catching up at home and at work.
I am not liking this actually working at work crap, for sure.
And my house is pretty much back to normal, although the black bottoms of Max's socks tells me I need to mop...bad!

Lucky for me, while I was on my deathbed, I got so many presents that really cheered me up.
Some came and I was so sick, I didn't even open them for a couple days.
(that's how sick I was)
But when I did, it truly made my day.
THIS is why I love Halloween so much.
A holiday when people sent me presents I love and I didn't have to make a list for them, tell them what I like, where to buy it and how much it costs.
And when I opened the boxes, it was a surprise and a feeling like, "Wow, how did she know I would like this? That was so nice of her. I can't believe she thought of me."
Maybe your Xmas is like that in your house, but I can honestly say, only Halloween is like this in our family.

So....THANK YOU.
And I promise, pictures are coming of all my wonderful goodies.
Hopefully, it will stay sunny today and I can get some.

In the meantime, I wanted to thank Michelle, for this wonderful card for Halloween.
I was totally surprised and touched that you thought of me.
Michelle has to be one of the nicest bloggers I know, if you don't know her, you want to...trust me!!
And a big thanks to my buddy, Connie who not only sent me this cute card (I love it!) but also a wonderful Halloween package and some envelopes because she knew I needed them.
The envelopes made me cry.
Well...cry dry tears because I had no fluids left in my body.
And she sent Max a little addition to his spooky town. He loves Connie and always tells everyone how "Connie knows me."
Cracks me up every time.
Connie is truly my nicest IRL friend and I am so lucky to call her a friend. I could blab with her for hours (and have!) and we have the same obsessive personality when it comes to crafts.
Again....don't know Connie??? You should!
Check out her blog....HERE.
My Halloween swap package came from Jessica and it was amazing (pictures to come!) and Tracy sent me a package of all things skullz...OMG....loved it so much. I swear I talked about these things for days with everyone.
Most people just looked at me and nodded, not understanding the coolness of great paper or a new stamp.

Oh and
HAPPY HALLOWEENIE!!
(heehee...weenie!)
It is supposed to be chilly here tonight for the tricksters but as long as it is not wet, they should be fine.
I was told that at the ripe 'ol age of 11, the kid is "too old" for that kinda thing and if he wants candy, "I can buy it myself."
Yep, broke my heart this morning.
I trick or treated through high school!
But I guess I wasn't as cool as he is.

So I'm back.

I think the Malaria is over.
I hope. (really hope!!)
And to make it up to all of ya....A giveaway is coming!
And it is a good one.
Let's just say that most of you will find it amusing.

Thanks for sticking with me during my long, long, long absence.
Have a spooktacular day!!

RAK- Halloween Penguin

I got this little guy in the mail from my friend Carol, she knows I LOVE Halloween.
Said it gave her an excuse to buy this little guy.
Always happy to enable!!

He is so cute. Stamp from Memory Box.
If you've got a penguin fetish, this is the way to go, they have a whole slew of these little waddling fellows in all kinds of themes.
This is the Vampy Penguin.
See his little cape?
It's a little piece of black velvet paper!
I love the simplicity of the design too, a perfect card!

Just a little Batty

Super simple Halloween card.
Something about googly eyes that make me laugh.
These were a perfect fit for the stamp and depending on how the card was positioned, the bat had several crazy looks.

Halloween Patterned paper is Karen Foster, I think.
Orange PP is My Mind's Eye.
Stamp by SU!
Black Organza Ribbon.

Halloween Swap News

Well, thanks to everyone who has jumped on my spooky bandwagon and signed up for the Bubble, Bubble, Swap and Trouble!
So far it is turning out to be some of the most fabulous blog crafters I know which is truly exciting.

Be sure to tell all your bloggy buddies to join us, the more, the scarrier.

And it is not to late to join us!!!
Details are here!

And if you are interested in all things Halloweenie, you don't want to miss out on all the creepy cool ideas and news we will be posting over at The Witches' Caldron.

New Swap and Blog!!

Yup, you read that right, started a new blog that just happens to coincide with the new swap I am hosting with my pal, Elizabeth.

We are getting ready for our favorite holiday, Halloween!

If you love Halloween, like we do, please join us for our....

Bubble, Bubble, Swap and Trouble

Who Can Swap with Us?
Swap is open to Canada and US Bloggers only.
You must have a blog to join our little group.

Important Dates
Sign Ups Close on Saturday, September 15th
All swaps should be mailed on or before Monday, October 15th
Partners assigned by September 21st, the latest

What Do I do?
After you sign up, you will be sent a spooky kooky questionnaire by eerie Elizabeth that you need to fill out and send back ASAP. This will help us pair you up with the best match, so that people who love the cutesy Halloween will be paired with the like and those of us that like the creepy, gory Halloween will be partners.
Also, your answers will be shared with your swap partner so that they get to know you better.

This is more than getting a great swap, you’ll meet a great group of people too!

What are we swapping?
All things Halloween! You must include one handmade item.
This does not mean one card, it means maybe a note card set with matching pen, or a little Halloween album, Halloween bag, spooky decorations, festive simple apron, home décor item to creep out your home…the sky is the limit, but only send what you yourself would want to receive. The rest of the package should/can be store bought and should total $15.
Also, don’t forget a bag of your favorite Halloween candy, what would Halloween be without the treats, right?

Got questions??
Well, just shoot them to me at spazzgirl555@yahoo.com and I will be happy to answer anything on your mind.

Please be sure to post your swaps on your blog when you receive them.

And all other information will be posted on my Witches’ Cauldron blog .

What's this new blog?
Well, it is all things Halloween.
Costume ideas, party plans, treats you can make yourself, the best online sites we know about and tons of great Halloween crafty ideas to keep ya in the Halloween mood!
Be sure to stop on over and check it out!!
And if you have any great Halloween projects or ideas you would like to share on our blog...Just shoot me an email, we would love that!

I am really looking forward to a great swap as well as meeting some great new blogging buddies and I know eerie Elizabeth hopes the same!

Don't be shy, just comment on this thread with your email address and blog info, or if you feel more comfortable, shoot me an email with your info.

Trick or Treat

Made one card this weekend, last night.
Felt like if I didn't I might lose my groove.
Took only a half hour which was good because it was still quite warm in the crafty room.
I think the heat made me more efficient.

Used my new Halloween stamps from Stampin' Up!
Love that little spider, although I find that the 1 inch circle punch is just slightly too big and that drives me a little batty.
Ha!
Well, it does.
The lil spidey is on the inside of the card through the circle punched window.

I also now know that I am wheel challenge.
I had such a hard time getting that darn thing straight.
I know, I know...Get the guide thingy.
Just don't want to buy a glorified ruler, just don't.
I'm cheap like that.
Tried it with a regular ruler, didn't really work, got ink on the ruler too.
Anyone got a secret method?
Maybe you could share it with the wheely challenged, I am sure I am not the only one.

Oh...Too early for Halloween?