Markdowns in the shop

I just got done marking down the prices of some of the lace and trims in the shop. Trims 1-13, Laces 1-4, and some of the lingerie laces have all gone down in price. Remember if you want more than one yard of any particular trim/lace...I can set up a reserved listing for you. I'm thinking of retiring those items after the 15th of this month....so if you see anything...I would get it now. :)

Happy May Day!!

I participated in Fated Follie's May Day Petite Basket Swap. This is what I received from my partner, Lynne (www.englishteacup.blogspot.com/).









This is what I got from Rochelle (http://www.lolasmommy.blogspot.com/). She was my partner in Artsy Mama's May Day Basket Swap.








I said I wanted girly and look at this girly, pink loot. She is one talented lady. She has an etsy shop...you need to check it out.











Who says that a quarter isn't worth much anymore?? I got this vintage lamp at a Church Sale last weekend. I have two other similiar lamps (Humpty and Hansel & Gretel) I spent way more than a quarter on those.




























I lost a photo....friggin Blogger can bite my ass. I finally get around to doing this and argh. This is my son's school bus. The bus....all special children get taken to and from school by bus here on Post. My son's bus driver loves to decorate her bus. The kids love it, the teachers love it, the parents love it....someone must not have and complained back around Easter/St. Patrick's Day. She had to take a lot of it down. I thought about it and came up with a way to make the bus happy again. Those children have it rough enough in life that whatever we can do to make their days a little happier..we should. I found the butterflies at Hobby Lobby (we have some hanging in our yard for Billy and the driver & aide are always saying nice things about our yard). It just wasn't enough. I thought it through and one day asked her if a magnet would stick to the roof of the bus....we checked it and it did...then I went nuts. I bought more magnets and a crap load of fake flowers from Michaels. I took them off the stems and hot glued those puppies to magnets. I had won a set of fifty magnets in a box of junk on a blog almost two years ago and finally used them. :) Hoarding pays off on ocassion. I had little wooden ladybugs and they got glued to magnets as well. Now the bus has over 150 flowers, 60 ladybugs and 18 butterflies and everyone loves it. It makes my heart happy. The lost photo was the side of my fridge with ladybugs and flowers on it. :) I don't know about you, but I am so glad April is over. The last fifteen days have sucked. Between stuffy head/sinuses, PCS issues that had me jumping out my ass, appointments and just everything bizarre that life hands you.....I am just bushed. I've been too tired to do anything. I'm hoping May is different.

Around the World in Twenty Tags

My sister is hosting her first swap ever....."Around the World In Twenty Tags". She needs 20 players and has twelve slots left. Head over here: www.wendy-hue.blogspot.com/2010/04/around-world-in-20-tags.html to find out more. I'm in it...so what more could you want. I know...so much more. :)

I'm a Junior

I am signed up and I managed to get all the classes I wanted. Happy, happy....even better...I had to register for Wendy (my sister) and she got everything she wanted as well. I know you are all just dying to see what I signed up for....so here is my schedule:
Friday @ 0800- Project Runway w/ Colette Copeland
Friday @ 1100- Bonaparte's Gift w/ Kaari Meng
Friday@ 1400- The Gilded Cage w/ Kerry Lynn Yeary
Saturday @ 0830- Chatelaine Necklace w/ Charlotte Lyons
Saturday @ 1130- Oh Tannenbaum w/ Kerry Lynn Yeary
I'm excited about all my classes. I can't wait until November. :) If you haven't signed up...go, go..what are you waiting for??

No pictures, but links :)

I've been busy, so no pictures. I got our taxes done yesterday....my favorite benefit of the military...free tax prep and filing. Screw the commissary and px...the tax center is hands down our best benefit. The soldiers who took care of me yesterday rocked...I basically begged the soldier at the front to let me get them done. If you have rental property or other "harder" tax issues you are supposed to call for an appointment (that is new this year and I didn't know). I walked in after making sure I had someone to pick up Billy off the bus if it ran late. I lucked out and he said he'd find someone for me...a soldier popped in not a minute after that and he was free to do my taxes. I was so happy. I baked them cakes today...one for each of them and dropped them off after I got Billy on the bus. They were shocked (but happily so). That was so much fun....I used to bake for soldiers all the time. I got to play in the front garden a little bit before Billy got home. I planted a cayenne pepper plant for my Mom...we freeze the peppers for when she visits. :) I planted pea and bean plants that we started from seed and were too big for the little greenhouse thing. I need to go get some sticks or something for them to grow up. I weeded a little....not fun...blah. Links....don't you love blogs....they help you find the neatest stuff. Where to start....hmmm...candy. I was reading the yummygoods blogs the other day and she mentioned some key lime items (www.yummygoods.com/blog/2010/3/18/366-design-blogging-and-key-west.html ) and I had to go order the Key lime and White Chocolate Clouds. They arrived today...very yummy. I love supporting small businesses...she has all sorts of candy. I got a sampler box as well to share with the boys for Easter. Next link....soap...the best smelling, in the cutest packaging ever soap was mentioned on Jo Packham's WWC blog (www.wherewomencreate.typepad.com/blog/2010/03/fabulous-friday-2.html ) and I ordered some of those as well. They arrived today...smells even better than imagined, the paper and fabric she uses is cuter than all get out. The paper on the bagged soap has craft patterns. It is organic soap. I love soap.....Crabtree & Evelyn is where I usually get my fill of hoity toity soap...now I can alternate. :) Last link....my Bella Buddy , Sheila, had a nifty post today (www.blessedanddistressed.blogspot.com/2010/04/glimmer-of-hope.html). Tattered Angels have a special color of glimmer mist out this month and part of the proceeds go to Autism Speaks....how cool is that??? Yes, I did my part for autism and ordered some. It is limited, so go and get some...it is turquoise with some gold in it. I haven't used the product before, but if you check out Sheila's blog..you can see some of the great thigns she has done with glimmer mist. Oh..I guess I should remind all you Bellas (old and some hoping to be) that Teresa posted class descriptions today on the Silver Bella blog. I've got a "schedule" worked out and I hope I get all the classes I want. :) Now if I can just be patient until the 6th....we are so not going anywhere for Spring Break...we have to be here so I can register for Silver Bella. :) Okay...go shopping and stimulate the economy.

The Sun and I came to an agreement

I told him that if he would come out...I would be less of a bitch...voila...it is beautiful today. I got to take pictures and I went for a walk and took more pictures. Happy Day!





This is my tag for the "April Showers Bring May Flowers" tag swap.

Here is the best fabric ever. Don't you just love all those mushrooms.

This was last night's dinner. The chicken/noodle to veggie ratio was a tad off. Yes, I watched Jamie Oliver's show Friday night. My autistic five year old can name and sign more vegetables than those 6 year olds in West Virginia. Very scary.

I took this on my walk earlier. I need to upload a butt load of photos to my neglected Flickr account. :)

I know you are all just so impressed...posts two days in a row and this one had pictures. I'm impressed. :)

Busy as a bee

Oy..I've been busy working on crafty stuff for the last two weeks. I made up some tiny cellophane bags of fun stuff for goody bags at Art Opera and sent two Chinese take-out boxes of trim & lace as well...a lot of cutting was involved. I worked on some bags & boxes for Paper Cowgirl as well. I have a lot to share and basically begged Lisa and Cindy to let me give them free stuff for their art retreats. I haven't finished the Paper Cowgirl ones yet....waiting for May for a better head count. :) This past week....I worked on my tags for the "April Showers Bring May Flowers" swap for the tag group. If the sun will work with me tomorrow I can take a photo of the last tag remaining...we are a group of 20, but 2 couldn't participate this time and we are donating a set to Rebecca Sower for Haiti relief. Being the slightly off bitch that I am....I couldn't make 19 tags...I love odd numbers except when making crafty things. It has to be even....I have an extra atc laying around from Silver Bella, because I couldn't just make 11 of them. It drives me apeshit. I like my tags and finished them Friday morning, so to celebrate I hit two estate sales. I figured the eldest was on a field trip and I'd have more time....didn't have to be at home by the normal time. It took me less than an hour to drive to and get back from both of them. I found some things. Well, Saturday morning, I made the boys go to a church rummage sale with me. :) I found the world's best fabric...it is vintage..it was still on the bolt (maybe a yard left if I'm lucky) and it was only $1. I have to take a picture....it has mushrooms on it. Those poor church ladies thought I had gone mad. I spent a whole $2.85 at the rummage sale. I love those ladies...we've been there before....cheap prices and baked goods. I spent another $2 on those....brownies and buttermilk cakes. I woke up with a stuffy head today....friggin weather. But there was good stuff to wake up to....Teresa posted the teacher list for Silver Bella. Some old favorites and a whole bunch of new ladies. I've already have their blogs on my favorites, so that I can read up on them and their art before class lists come out tomorrow. That is what I'll be doing tonight between making homemade stir fry (Mom's recipe..that was quickly jotted down during yesterday's call) and watching Chuck (not loving this season so far).

Forget Liberty of London & Target

You need to run to Michael's and look in the dollar bins. Everyday Is a Holiday Goodies (www.everyday-is-a-holiday.blogspot.com) are now available. I was a tad worked up at first..I thought they had ripped Jenny and Aaron off, but after flipping over one of the products..I saw that they were licensed. How friggin cool is that?? They have note pads, journals, magnets, note cards, and dimensional stickers. I had to grab some....it goes nicely with the few pieces of Jenny & Aaron art that I have from their etsy shop. Have you ever been in a store and gone apeshit when you saw something?? That was me. :)

Don't worry I didn't really blow off Target and Liberty of London. I lucked out and got these on Saturday (some stockperson put them out early). Our Target had some things left today, but not a whole lot.

I was a good girl

I just updated the neglected shop. There are 18 new items...mostly books. If the sun cooperates this week..I may just find more things to list. Do you hear that laughing?? That is my lazy ass. Just scroll down to the bottom of the blog to see the newer items. :)

Wilmi, Don't Look..please!

This is what I'm sending my partner in The Netherlands. It was for the Dutch Sisters Spring Surprise Swap...oy..that is a mouthful. I didn't attach any ribbon...I figured she could either hang them individually or string them all up together (i.e. bunting). Wilmi loves Tilda-style stuff...I ordered every book I could and found that most of the projects were big ones that wouldn't fit in an envelope. I did get the cake patterns from the book though..I'll have to go back and figure out which one. I'll list the books later...some great ideas in there. We were only supposed to send two fat quarters of springy fabric....I couldn't make up my mind, so she gets four. She sent me three. I forgot to take pictures of what I got..when the sun comes back out I'm all over it. :) I sent her some goodies from Sugar*Sugar (including seam binding for her to hang the cakes with). It all goes out in the mail today. It did nothing but rain and storm yesterday...so we stayed home. The boys had the day off for a teacher workday. A trip to the post office is planned for today. :) It was good that we were cooped up yesterday....I continued the great excavation of my office/junk room. I've got boxes of things to donate (and things I need to find homes for...things you can't donate to thrift stores...crafty stuff leftover from the shop/Silver Bella). I finally started going through my leftovers from SB...breaking some things down, getting ready to donate some things..oy. I did get some photos taken for the shop and will try to list things this weekend. I've primarily just worked cleaning things up around the hovel. I did join two swaps this week....May Day Basket swaps....one with Artsy Mama and the other Fated Follies. It will be fun to fill up a few baskets and make people happy. I know other things occured this week...I was so tired most of the week that it just didn't stick in my brain. Have a good weekend.

It's Wednesday already?

Man...this week has flown. Well, the library sale wasn't as good this year as in previous years. They didn't have nearly as many books...it was really noticeable....kind of sad. It makes me want to donate my leftover books to them for next year....only if i'm not there shopping. :) I found a few things....for me, the shop, family. I spent less than I did last year, but the things cost me a little more this year. I may have to raise my book prices a little in the shop. I've been debating that in my head this week. It has worked out that the sun hasn't been out and I can't find my husband's tripod....I can't take pictures, so I have time to think about prices. :) Susan (my book buddy) and I hit one thrift store and another library's book store. It was fun, but I didn't find much. The creative block is slowly going it's way....I've been working on my Dutch Sister's swap the last few days. I hope it works out. :) I have a Pre-K Parents Forum thing tomorrow...I was sick about it....it falls during the same time as a meeting at the middle school about which High Schools are the best ones for kids in Special Ed. I hate being torn between two things for my boys. It sometimes feels like Jr gets pushed aside because of Billy. I wrote his Special Ed teacher a note and she said it was fine that I miss it...I had been asked to the Pre-K Forum a month or so ago...they just didn't have a set date at that time....argh. Blah. In between all that I've been reading a new book, "Cream Puff Murders" by Joanne Fluke...I love a mystery with food involved. :) I miss the Olympics...it was so nice snuggling on the couch with Billy watching the Games. I got flowers twice this week.....my dear ShabbyCraps had a giveaway for Valentine's Day for some of her photos and she sent me a set....it was pity, but I'll take it. I got those in Monday. Today, the Fed-Ex pulls up and I'm freaking thinking I forgot that I had ordered something...Clark sent me tulips and a little balloon on a stick for Billy. It was a nice a surprise...I just hope Billy doesn't try to eat them....he has been known to try out different forms of plant life. Ah...the life of an autistic child...such a happy, strange little boy. :)

Nine

I said it nine times...that was bad...even for me. :) Vintage Sandy....if you email me your information...I'll send you a little something this week. Today, we are headed to Birmingham for the book sale. I came to my senses...cheap books and someone to watch my kids....how could I not go. :) Enjoy your weekend!

The no good, horribly bad blogger strikes again

It has just sucked lately. I'm am so tired. I don't remember any deployment ever sucking this much. It is just crazy. I'm usually the wife telling all the other wives to suck it up and drive on...I just want to go back to bed. Blah. I had to take the wee one to the doctor last Friday....it wasn't too bad....until he saw the doctor. :) He is fine. I will respect his privacy and not tell you anything. :) It was the end of a crazy week. It was a short week..they had President's Day off. The thing that really blew was that it started on a Tuesday.....Tuesdays suck for parents...the kids get out early on Tuesdays. I wouldn't mind so much, but Billy's bus schedule is all wacky that day and I have the hardest time remembering it. This week...I am just tired....I haven't been sleeping well. I'm so tired that I'm thinking of skipping the big book sale in Birmingham this weekend...crazy talk..I know. I love that sale and I have someone there who will watch Billy for me. It is just that three hour drive. Whine, whine, whine.....it is so bad. I suck. On top of that....I have the worst creative block known to man. Two swaps to go and I can't get going on them. Suggestions...anyone?? I'm just thinking of all the cool swaps I'm missing out on, because I won't sign up for anymore until I get my mojo back. :) The lady I did the "Thing With Wings" charm swap with is holding another charm swap.....Alice In Wonderland...too cool, right?? Wrong. There is a Tussie Mussie Swap out there.....I convinced Wendy to join and I will live vicariously through her. Someday....it will back and I won't suck anymore (okay, maybe I can suck some more...totally possible). I have been enjoying the Olympics with my boys. Billy loves the Olympics and will watch anything that is on. At 8pm sharp he comes in (and if we haven't changed the channel yet) and say, "NBC"...he can't quite say Olympics yet. He gets his happy hands a-going....he has really enjoyed skiing and the bobsled action. Figure Skating...he likes all the spinning. Go figure. :) It is really going to suck when they end and he wants to watch them some more. Somebody....please....count how many time I used "suck" in this post and report back to me. I may send you something. How's that for a giveaway?? I told you I need some sleep.

Snow Day!!!!!!

These are two shots of my backyard...four hours apart. I'm so friggin happy. I got a call from the middle school at 2221 hours last night saying that school was canceled due to the weather...I didn't want to get my hopes up. It hasn't stopped snowing since..it started around 1000 hours this morning. I love it!!

The Supreme Chicken Shit Speaks...

that would be me. I'm still shaking a little...we just got back from Jordan High School's Open House. I hate driving to start with, but at night...even worse. We made it there and back though. The Open House....the middle schoolers here at Fort Benning have about eight million options for High School...there are two schools that they are zoned for..depending on county (yes, the whole post is on two different counties..makes registering your car a real bitch) and a bevy of magnet school options as well. That doesn't include the religious/private high schools. Oy..is right. Well, Jr saw a program at Jordan he was interested in and their open house was tonight. The school is an older one, but they've got great electives. Culinary Arts, Welding, Health Care...all sorts of good stuff. You actually need a map to get around...they provided those (thank goodness). He has pre-applied (I mailed that last week)..so we are just waiting to see if he made it. Wish him luck. :) I'm waiting for some sunlight to take good pictures of my Inspiration Boxes from the swap. I took some not so pretty ones on the stove, but that wouldn't do them justice. You will see the stovetop pictures of the boxes I made....I had to get them out and I was really tired from the night before....the Great Flood of 2010 (thanks to Billy..such a joy) and I just didn't have it in me to set up something special. I figured the fact that I remembered to take a picture before sending them gets me some points this time. I've got three swaps left..one private swap (with my Bella Buddy, Marian), the Dutch Sisters' Swap, and the tag swap (April Showers Bring May Flowers is the theme this time...same ladies from the V-day tag swap..aren't you sorry you didn't get into that swap...we are an exclusive little club now). I'm so getting kicked out for that comment...they are probably only letting me stay in because I send them free shit. Well, TSCS (that is still me) has to make dinner and go sit on my ass and watch NCIS. :) By the way.....Dad, are you happy now...I updated my blog....it's not like we don't talk every weekend. :)