New Ink!

I got a new tattoo on Saturday! It's my Christmas present to myself. I have been wanting to get this done for the last three years and I'm happy that I finally have done it. The next will be some starts on my feet.

It's starting to get scabby now so sorry for the kinda yucky picture. I was a bit nervous that it would hurt here on my wrist but it literally took 10 minutes and was no big deal. Now both my kiddos are forever inked on my skin YAY!

Leap Frog

Maybe I'm just stupid but I seriously cannot figure this out. It is driving me crazy, I could probably sit here for 5 hours and keep clicking on these stupid frogs and still make no progress. Maybe you will have better luck than I have had. If anyone figures this thing out let me know please and thank you...

http://funstufftosee.com/frogleaptest.html

I love Altoid Tins

My partner in the Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Tin received her package from me. I wasn't able to do what I had orginally planned for her and am actually a bit disappointed in the tin. It is cute but not up to the high standards I set for myself. Also compared to the tin I received, mine is a serious POS! Oh well I keep telling myself that at least I got it done and out regardless.
Here are the pictures of the tin. The first shows the top, the second is the bottom, and the last shows the inside and the goodies that I shoved in there. I made two pairs of earrings, one is a Christmas Cookie set and the other is a candy cane set. I made a Santa pin out of poly clay that looks more like a gnome, some mini ornaments, a grow a Rudolph, some little wintery buttons and findings, two lampwork snowmen beads, and two cutie paper cut outs. I hope my partner wasn't too disappointed in what she received! Actually the more I look at it, I think it's actually a really cute little tin!

You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch

I am feeling so Grinchy this year. I just can't seem to get into the holiday spirit. The kids and I decorated the tree and the house, I am almost done shopping, watch the Christmas movies with the kids, look at all the beautiful lights, and I listen to Christmas music at work but nothing is working for me this year. Maybe I need to go sit on Santas lap?? So to try to get into the spirit I am going to do a random Google search for Christmas and share with you my findings.

First we have the Wikipedia entry all about Christmas... I never knew it was also know as Christmastide...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

To find out how Christmas works visit http://www.howstuffworks.com/christmas.htm
Although if you don't know how Christmas works then you are an idiot and I am surprised you are even able to read!

This looks like fun http://www.northpole.com/
Welcome to Santa's Secret Village. Watch out the secret is now out

Okay that search did nothing for my Holiday Spirit! Someone help me here please! Like seriously give me a present or something.......

Here we go again

I have been caught up in the middle of the holiday frenzy which for me also includes birthday frenzy for Adia. She is having her birthday party tomorrow at the park. I am crossing my fingers for decent weather (cross yours too!) She is so excited. I can't believe she is already going to be eight! Where does the time go? I remember her being my non sleeping, crying, pooping everywhere teeny tiny baby. She was the most beautiful little one in the world (still is in my opinion) I kinda miss those days when I could hold her with one arm. Now I can't even lift her up at all!!! She is so independant and certainly has a mind of her own. Not sure where she gets that from???? She is also very sensitive and I think she is always trying to make everyone (except Landon) happy. She is my little mother, one day in the very FAR future she is going to make great mommy. Happy soon to be birthday my little peanut!

I haven't been making much lately as I have been trying to finish up some things for Christmas gifts and had to finish the 3 swaps I was in. I did find time to make these earrings which I love. I need to find more of these star beads as I think they are wonderful!!

I am really loving plastic beads and such right now and used some hearts for this necklace. It's one of my favorites. The little hearts were in a mystery bag of beads I ordered from OMGLia. I gotta find out where this girl gets all her beads from. She gets some wonderful stuff in stock! I have some other ideas for a few of the other things she sent me.

Silver Owl. Kinda strange how much I like this considering I am terrified of birds!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these earrings!!!! I wear them all the time.

Here is a Christmas Altoids tin I received in a swap. She used the Nutcracker as a theme. This is the inside of the tin. Isn't it beautiful?

This is the inside lid of the tin, again beautiful

The outside of the tin is so girly and totally me! I love when people make the perfect things for me.

This is the front of the tin, still super cute and girly.

Lots of holiday themed jewelry was found inside my tin. I love the santa necklace and green square shaped earrings.

I will post more pics of things I have made for swaps once they are received. I have completed all my holiday swap items and all have been shipped. I am so proud I have resisted the urge to sign up for anymore swaps!!!!

I'm Baaaaack

It's been a while but I'm back with a few updates. I finished my Christmas shopping for my kids which is a total relief. They are only getting 5 things total along with stocking. The way I see it they get so much stuff from everyone else that it is sort of pointless for me to get them tons of stuff. Now I need to shop for all the siblings/cousins/parents/friends. I know what I am going to get my parents and grandparents and the little cousins but my siblings are hard to shop for. So are friends. I also need to get going on my holiday baking. I am going to be making cherry blossoms and buckeyes to give this year. You better hope you are on the list to get some cause they are gooooood!

Now I need to start getting things ready for Adia's 12/13/08 birthday bash. We are going to have a party at the park again this year with pizza and some games. I have decided against traditional party favors and am instead going to let the kids each pick out a book to take home. No candy and junk toys for us this year. Adia wants to play games so I need to figure out a few good outdoor games.

We will be busy the weekend of the 13th as my aunt is coming to town from Montana for a visit and a Cardinals game. So after the party we will be heading over to moms for a BBQ. Sunday is the Cardinals/Vikings game which I will be going to. I can't wait!

Things are finally starting to settle down around my house, getting into a new schedule isn't always easy, especially on the kids. Turning back into a single parent hasn't been so easy on me either! I sure don't take my kids for granted so much anymore. It's really hard when they are with their dad. This year Adia will be with him on her birthday, that's going to be tough on me. First birthday in 8 years I won't be with my little girl.

Okay enough with the sad shit! My brother Lucas finally got the camera that he has been wanting and he tested it out on me Friday. Here are a few of the results

I was spying on my mom here and then I decided to play dead, not very convincing though. I had had a few margaritas and was being a bit silly!

Here my lovely Lucas caught me by surprise as I was walking out of the bedroom fixing my shirt.

Then mom and me decided to have a cheesy portrait shoot and pose for the camera! I ended up getting the giggles and laughed so hard I cried. Luke has a few pics of that but he didn't send them to me and even if he had I wouldn't post them cause they are not overly attractive.

I am still crafting away, making a few Christmas gifts that are quite time consuming. I have finished and sent my 12 Days of Christmas swap stuff, I was an angel and sent another Jar of Whimsies box and now I need to finish up and send out my altered Altoids tin and ornaments. I also need to complete my UHU challenge and alter a magazine. I have been slacking but have had a very good excuse!

Hope everyone had lots of turkey fun last Thursday! MWAH!!!