rock and roll all night

Okay, so I almost pulled an all-nighter the night before we left for Chicago. Last minute packing, organizing, setting up some blog posts... and getting two special order Jonas bracelets done up for customers in the UK. I really felt like I had to get them in the mail the morning I left to ensure their safe arrival before Christmas. One fellow Jonas fan wouldn't let down another Jonas fan, you know what I mean?

The bracelet above is for a Nick fan - check out his cute mug in the window of the iPod. I also have a nice Nick photo charm to send with it but I've dangled it on the packaging for fun. She can attach it to the bracelet later. Oh, and look closely... that is the sheet music to "A Little Bit Longer," Nick's signature ballad.

This one is for (like Loopy) another Joe gal. It features a Joe guitar pick and photo charm. The special touch on this one? Check out the "LOVE" license plate next to the ladybug... get it? Lovebug.

I'm ashamed to admit, there's not a stitch of Christmas decor up in my house. I hung up a lovely Hanukkah banner in the foyer, but that is it. There just wasn't time. Needless to say, when I get home tomorrow, after Cheerios practice, The Fan and I will swing into action - perhaps another all-nighter... to get it done. It will be full-on festive in this shack when Veto joins us at home on the weekend.

wedding garter

I've been so busy, things have been going out of my studio before they even get photographed. Again, not that I'm complaining. I'm not. It's just that I like to have a record of what I make over the years and that's really why I started my blog. I always made a point to take pictures of my crafts and baking, but mostly the shots just wound up in albums or shoeboxes, but the blog helped me make sense of everything and keep track of my projects.

These days, I feel badly if I forget to take a photo of something before I mail it away or deliver it. In the middle of the night, while I was packing to leave for Chicago, I remembered to take a quick shot of this custom wedding garter I made for Etsy customer Beth. She wanted something in ivory with an accent of dusty mauve, like her bridesmaids are wearing next March. Since she is Irish, I sewed in a little Irish coin for luck, with a tiny blue ribbon.

Oh, and each and every stitch on this piece was done by hand. My eyes and my head and my fingertips hurt just thinking about it. I bundled it up and packed it in my luggage. I'm shipping a few things in the States via US Mail when I'm there. Because, nothing says "fun" on a holiday like standing in a long lineup at the post office during the holiday rush.

back up, check your blind side

Back Spacer

I managed to get a few new things up the Etsy before we left. I was pretty swamped with special orders... not that I am complaining. It is a blessing to be able to turn a dollar in this economy and buy Veto something nice for Christmas. He deserves it. For instance, he's always taking the family to see shows:

He took Loopy, The Fan and I to see Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side last weekend. Easily, hands-down, the best movie I've seen all year... and I'm not ashamed to admit I was a little verklempt during almost the whole show. I suppose it could have been the absence of my mood-altering medications, or perhaps the lingering effects of my H1N1 vaccination, but I think it was the story: it makes you question what it means to be a mother. I suspect it has renewed my determination to help my children be the best that they can be.

I'm guessing that now I've seen it and I will have to read the book, I will be a Michael Oher fan. Go Ravens! At the very least, I think I should try coaching the Cheerios with a southern accent for a practice or two with some no-nonsense analogies. That should do the trick.

Five out of five cupcakes, y'all... now go get 'em. I will be home on Wednesday and ship all Etsy orders on Thursday.

gimme gimme

Before I show you my crazy Christmukkah wish list, I want to let you know who won the kit of charms to make their very own Saucy Christmas charm bracelet:

How did Angela win? I simply grabbed one of the Cheerios (I decided a consensus would take far too long and I had no time to write names on paper) and asked her to give me a number between 1 and 77.  "Oh!" she replied, "twenty! My big sister turned twenty today!"

And that was that. I came home and found that Angela was indeed number twenty. It must be her lucky day. For that, she can thank my random Cheerio who was all hyped up on party cake tonight.

Now that I've given something away out of the goodness of my heart, can I be a greedy girl and show you what I want for Christmas? Say, if caution was to be thrown completely to the wind, and money was no object, which of course, it is. So this really is a wish list. 

But as Loopy pointed out when I found her on the Betsy Johnson website with $7845.00 in her shopping cart, "it doesn't cost anything to cyber-window shop, you know."

Well then, my first window stop will be a good one. I don't mess around. I have wanted a trinity ring forever and a day. I think it would be smooth and comfortable, something I could wear every day. Plus, I think the sizing is forgiving and would be a clever solution for my arthritic fingers, their size fluctuates almost daily, making wearing my rings a real chore sometimes.
If I were to be completely realistic, I'd be happy with a little cup that had a lid to keep fancy tea hot. Oh, and I'd need some of that fancy tea too, for the cup.
I would dearly luurve some black cupcake papers. Dearly. I'm betting that I'll just order them on the internet someday.
I have a very poor little alarm clock and I'd really like a docking station for my iPhone and iPod, right on my bedside table. Imagine how handy that would be!
It never feels like Christmas until I ask for some flavoured vodka. You know me. Now, doesn't it feel more festive around here already?

A nice zoom lens would be a good idea. Or a good portrait lens, I'm not sure what exactly I would get more use out of. If you could have just one new lens for your camera, what would it be?

I would have so much fun with a Polaroid camera. The film packs are discontinued now, aren't they? I suppose this is a silly idea. Maybe I'll find one at a garage sale next summer. 

*mental note: go to garage sales next summer*

Oh, but one of these replica Diana cameras from Urban Outfitters would be too much fun!
Loopy and I got Veto hooked on Glee now, isn't that great? You can buy Glee shirts at Cafe Press. Actually, you can find some pretty fantastic gift ideas on that website. I did some shopping there already.
Now that I'm coaching my own Cheerios, I think I need this tee shirt, don't you? 

Oh, this sandwich cookie cake pan from Williams-Sonoma makes my heart go pitter-patter. I suppose, just because, I should treat myself to this and pop it into my shopping cart while I'm in Chicago over the weekend. 
But then, I wouldn't be able to decide between that or the chocolate bar brownie pan. 

More than one reader sent me the link to this cupcake car. Veto says no! Imagine my surprise, it's valued at a mere $25,000.00.  You can have it customized, right down to the icing colour and the toppings on your hat. 

I did mention, this is a wish list, right? I'm not really serious.

But maybe just a little, if I had to pick a new ride. This would be it, for sure. Hello, Kitty!

Or, I could just stay home, cuddled on the couch with a soft and small electric blanket. I really don't want a Snuggie... I want this Sunbeam blanket, badly. Please, don't anyone get me a Snuggie.

How about a nice dark winter handbag? Mine is looking a little tired. Veto splurged in Vegas and brought be back a snazzy pink purse in October, but it's too summery for right now. It will have to wait until spring. You know how that goes. If my heart desires a dark winter purse, it surely must desire...

... matching boo-tays. Don'tcha think? 

Tell me, I asked what your true holiday wish was a couple of posts back. Now, I want to know, what are the goods? What do you want wrapped up, under the tree? Your wildest wish come true. Let's window shop together.

ephemera necklaces

Pounds Sterling - SOLD

After much fussing, I managed to update my Etsy shop today with just a smattering of the ephemera necklaces I promised you. It wasn't easy. In fact, if it weren't for The Fan and The Secret Weapon, these wouldn't be finished at all. 

Queen's Medallion

I am pretty pleased with the way they have turned out. Might I suggest that they be worn in groups of three? That's how I wear mine. They really are lovely, all clustered together. I'll get a photo of mine to show you tomorrow.

King George Penny 

Tomorrow, I also plan to post the rest of the necklaces in my Etsy shop. 

Irish Lass

Forever My Love

Cupid's Rose

Lady Republic - SOLD

Belle of the Isle

Italian Matinee - SOLD

Grand Gesture

Queen of the Vineyard - SOLD

Queen Bee - SOLD

Madame Royale - SOLD

Queen of Francs - SOLD

As you can see, I was influenced by all things royal and European. I was thrilled to nab onto some aluminum Francs... did you know that during World War II, in order to save metal for the war effort, Francs were made of lightweight aluminum? They really are light and lovely to wear around your neck on an antiqued ball chain. They have a dull patina that gives them great character. Which one is your favourite?

your holiday wish

My head is spinning from making and sorting and packaging swap charms. Everything is pretty much ready to go now. Plus, I had a wonderful afternoon making charm bracelets with my local swapping peeps. Check out this sparkly action!  I will be sporting this cutie on my wrist next weekend in Chicago.

The good news for you... I have a bundle of charms left over. I'm not going to put them onto a bracelet, but I'm going to put them together in a little kit for one lucky reader. If you win, you can put it together any way you like! Doesn't that sound like fun? Perhaps you will wear it yourself or you might gift it to someone special for the holidays.

Just leave a comment on this post before Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. CST. One of the Cheerios will make the draw at practice that night. Tell me... what is your holiday wish this year?

ephemera necklace

I made this one for myself... using some of my favourite bits and pieces after I made necklaces for the show on the weekend.

Someone very special sent me the dragonfly and I saved him just for this!

The old typewriter keys stand for Saucy, Veto, Buddy and Loopy. I'm resisting the temptation to snip that tiny thread from the ribbon... it adds to the appeal, don't you think?

cupcake buffet

I catered the cupcake buffet for my friend Leica's Saskatchewan Scraps crop event this weekend. It doesn't look like there are 160 cupcakes on this table, but there are!

Strawberry sponge cake with buttercream frosting. It was a new flavour for me.

My signature chocolate with pink frosting and sprinkles! Just like my banner. Lurrve.

Red velvet with golden buttercream frosting. Thank you to Miss Karen for providing extra frosting for this venture... it was needed!

S'mores cupcakes: these ones were gone first, I wonder why?

Classic red velvet with vanilla buttercream. These were the only "holiday" decorated cupcakes on the table.

Soft pink buttercream frosting... I used a food spray to get the delicate effect.

There's nothing as pretty as a table of assorted cupcakes, do you agree? Leica threw an amazing event, all of the scrappers had a great time - it was exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. I also took new necklace and bracelet designs to the event on Saturday. What is left will be in my Etsy later this week, just in time for Christmas shipping.

Loopy and I took in New Moon with our friends Jenn, Karen and Georgina on the weekend! Before I tell you what I thought, I need to know: Team Edward?

Or Team Jacob? Loopy and I are Team Jacob... we aren't into the emaciated, romantic, blood-drinking type. We decided after the show that we both like the mysterious, loyal werewolf types. What can I tell you? We're dog people.

New Moon was so much better than Twilight. Obviously they had more money for production and special effects this time around. It ran for two hours and I didn't once ask Loopy if it was over yet, like I did when we watched Twilight. The best part was sitting next to Karen and sharing a running commentary about the shirtless werewolves and vampires.

Oh, and taking a nice comfy chair out of the dollhouse for Little Ed, and a Coke in case he got, uh, thirsty. That part was fun, too.

New Moon gets four out of five cupcakes from the buffet table. Two cupcakes for the acting, but two bonus cupcakes for the shirtless beefcake. 

Hey, I'm just being honest.