Some days I know just what to say...

and other days, I have NO idea what to say when I sit down here at my computer!  Today I am uninspired, yesterday was a rotten day and I'm feeling like I have a monday grumpy-hang-over and want to shake it off!

I guess I'll show and tell you what I have want will try to do today:

want to make this

have the fabric

need the patience

awesome tutorial

 I seriously MUST call the groomer for this sexy boy, who is looking so very shabby!

 MUST get on this... didn't go to running club last night, felt like crap.

 Need to take this ugly wall and

 do SOMETHING spectacular on it...oh, the pressure!

 should REALLY get those baby clothes listed on ebay, ugh: the thought of listing and shipping makes me want to drive it straight to Goodwill.  (yes, it's log cabin wallpaper, SHUT UP, I had NOTHING to do with it and choose to pretend it's not there.  Don't worry too much, it's in the back lower level bedroom)  ...did I tell you I'd really love to raise $20,000(?+) to adopt again.. My wonderful agency sends me updates that make me want to run to the airport and hop the next flight to China!!!

Must get this filled with weekly outfits...Darling is too short to reach her clothes and it will make my mornings much more enjoyable.

So, I better get movin', the treadmill WILL happen, the ebay...not so sure!

Any big plans this week?

Small goals?

Fun stuff?

Studio time?

Flu shots...oh yeah, gotta make an appt for those too!

Have a great day!!

and since the time is getting so close:

a little plug about my BABY/KID HAT DRIVE

As most of you know, my daughter was adopted from China and I left a little piece of my heart there.  I'm collecting hats to keep the children and babies warm in the winter.  Many live in orphanages that are without heat.

1. make a baby hat, toddler hat, or kid sized hat 

(you can take the non-crafty way out and buy one if you must)

2. Send to:

David Shellenbarger

c/o chinamommy

146 E Main

Caledonia, MI 49316

3. I need them in my hot little hands BY Oct 31, 2010.

4. I'll take care of shipping them to CHINA this fall.

any questions- please feel free to email me!!

chinamommy@yahoo.com 

Please feel free to TWITTER or facebook this hat drive!!!

Final Day of ArtPrize in GR...

I don't know how quickly these pictures are going to download, i think i took these pics on the highest setting so I could print them out.  I hear that you can somehow magically make them small using photoshop, but  like 100 other things right now, I have no idea how to do that.  Next blog post: 

All The Things chinamommy Does NOT Know How To Do With Her: Camera,  Computer, Blog and Photoshop!

Sunday was the last day of artprize here in Grand Rapids, MI

Here is my brother with his painting.  I know, I know... it's like we're twins- we're always getting mistaken for one another.

 My brother in line for his "swag bag"

 Me...sadly behind the line because it's for ARTISTS ONLY!!  But let's talk about my shirt... isn't it cute!!??

 a painted WALL!!!  it's HUGE

 photo by my brother... all the dripped paint below the painting.

  3rd place WINNER.  It was AMAZING!!!  Every red disk was hung by a red thread attached to a NEEDLE!!  there were 100's, the sheer number of them made it amazing! 

Of course I loved this piece, not only because it was gorgeous to look at, but it was based on this Chinese proverb which means so much to the adoption community

 The Invisible Red Thread

"An invisible red thread connects those destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break."  -Ancient Chinese Proverb 

don't ask me how a RED thread can be invisible or how they can know it's red when it's invisible, I'm also baffled by this...

Don't forget, the deadline for my baby/kid hat drive is getting close!

Oct 31st...

Here are the details:

a little plug about my BABY/KID HAT DRIVE

As most of you know, my daughter was adopted from China and I left a little piece of my heart there.  I'm collecting hats to keep the children and babies warm in the winter.  Many live in orphanages that are without heat.

1. make a baby hat, toddler hat, or kid sized hat 

(you can take the non-crafty way out and buy one if you must)

2. Send to:

David Shellenbarger

c/o chinamommy

146 E Main

Caledonia, MI 49316

3. I need them in my hot little hands BY Oct 31, 2010.

4. I'll take care of shipping them to CHINA this fall.

any questions- please feel free to email me!!

chinamommy@yahoo.com

Thank you to those who have participated so far, I'll be giving an update with all the donors and pictures at the end!!  

Can't wait to see them ALL together!

Top 10 Candy Corn Treats!

1. Oh, my how hilarious and CUTE is this candy corn cat hat??  Check out her shop for more of this goodness!!

scooterKnits

2. Custom made candy corn outfit for your little sweetie!! Cute, cute, cute!!

TheTrendyTotShop

3. Oh, my!!! A printable party!! Click the link below to see for yourself the most fabulous printable party supplies- STUNNING!!

FrogPrincePaperie

4. I have one of my own lip balms from this shop and let me tell you... they are DELISH!!  I'd like to order one of everything-toasted marshmallow, lavender lemonade, creme brulee...!!!

PS: I have the blackberry lip tint- YUMMO!

orangethyme

5. Click below to go to her shop full of gorgeous yarns!!!

sosaecaetano

6. Oh, wait till you see the amazing outfits in the shop below, click the link and see for  yourself, they are amazing!!

skycreation

7. Cute over load!!

wreathsndolls

8. Trust me.. you want to click this link and see the other gorgeous goodness in her shop...GO NOW!

BeBopMoon

9. Seriously adorable cake toppers...you have GOT to see what else she has, click below!!

lesleywellington

10. Candy corn ornaments!! Cute, hun?

aliciatodd

Whewww... that is some CUTE candy corn goodness, am i right?

Seriously, check out the other goodies in their shops!!

and by the way... i hate candy corn to eat! haha!

BUT: i love how it looks!!

don't forget, the deadline for my baby hat drive is coming QUICKLY, so here's the info:

a little plug about my BABY/KID HAT DRIVE

As most of you know, my daughter was adopted from China and I left a little piece of my heart there.  I'm collecting hats to keep the children and babies warm in the winter.  Many live in orphanages that are without heat.

1. make a baby hat, toddler hat, or kid sized hat 

(you can take the non-crafty way out and buy one if you must)

2. Send to:

David Shellenbarger

c/o chinamommy

146 E Main

Caledonia, MI 49316

3. I need them in my hot little hands BY Oct 31, 2010.

4. I'll take care of shipping them to CHINA this fall.

any questions- please feel free to email me!!

chinamommy@yahoo.com

Shadow boxes...i think, no, i KNOW, i love you!!!

I bought these shadow boxes at Michael's... i  ❤❤❤ them!!

a framed print by Ashley G 

click here to go to her etsy store!!!

Do you know Ashley G?  If not, you should!!

A photo taken by a stranger at Lake Michigan

 filled with all kinds of "stuff"

 My sweetie 

 full of vintage and new buttons

The possibilities are ENDLESS with these shadow boxes!!!  Even for the "craft challenged".  Just put black paper (or a color or pattern) on the backing, add a picture and throw in some goodies: shells, crayons, buttons, small silk flowers, wine corks....  Something that goes along with the theme of your picture!  Give it a try and don't forget your 40% off coupon for Michael's!!  I got a 3 pack of shadow boxes for 40% off and then the deep shadow box (with the picture of the 3 of us) was on sale!

**PS: see yesterday's post for information about my baby/kid hat drive**

Vintage Cups and Saucer, and things I gotta DO!!!

 My $2 antique store find... Maybe Pickles on Pizza can tell me if $2 was a good buy.  Not that I really care, the color matches my house and $2... I had it right in my pocket!

2 cups, 1 saucer...

 Made in the USA!!?? Seriously, we made stuff here?  When I adopted my daughter from China, we were suppose to take gifts (customary thing in China).  They always recommended we take things made in our country... do you have any idea how hard that is?  It was before etsy, of course!  I guess it is a little stupid to buy a tie made in China, shipped to the USA and returned to China and given to someone who might just have a relative that made the darn thing...

These little guys are back from last year.  I want to try some paper clay vintage inspired Halloween decorations.  The cute pumpkin I saw at the vintage store this weekend was
$195!!!!!!!!!!
These were from TJ Maxx (my secret lover, in addition to Tom Selleck)

New this year... Martha Stewart with 40% off coupon at Michael's

Today I'm working on: 
 putting it all together

and these: 

make mod podge something or other

images from:
Click here for the Graphics Fairy!!!!

and this: 

make custom gum balls

Plus I have 2 hats to crochet for a friends daughter, make a custom fawn pendant, and run.  I'm sitting here in my running clothes and am headed down to the tread (DREAD) mil (thanks "S" for that term, so true!).  I haven't run since Saturday, I've had some nasty virus and basically have just laid around watching "Teen Mom" and crap I recorded and never watched... like the final episode of LOST, which I FINALLY watched yesterday.  To the writers of LOST: Hun????  I'm still lost and am glad I got that last show over with!!!!
and... just so everyone knows:

a little plug about my BABY/KID HAT DRIVE

I AM STILL COLLECTING HATS!!!!!!

Please feel free to share this on facebook, twitter, YOUR blog, knit/crochet clubs, etsy, anywhere!!

As most of you know, my daughter was adopted from China and I left a little piece of my heart there.  I'm collecting hats to keep the children and babies warm in the winter.  Many live in orphanages that are without heat.

1. make a baby hat, toddler hat, or kid sized hat 

(you can take the non-crafty way out and buy one(or more!!) if you must)

2. Send to:

David Shellenbarger

c/o chinamommy

146 E Main

Caledonia, MI 49316

3. I need them in my hot little hands BY Oct 31, 2010.

4. I'll take care of shipping them to CHINA this fall.

any questions- please feel free to email me!!

chinamommy@yahoo.com

Good stuff, 'cause it's Monday!

I went to an awesome antique shop this weekend, 2 of them actually.  There was SO much stuff, 3 floors FILLED to the gills with stuff!!

Did I have my camera? NO!

WHAT?? That's like peanut butter with no jelly!!

I know, I know!!

SO many photo op's but don't worry, that will not be my last time to that place!!

I spent $2.  I'll show you tomorrow what I bought (see how I'm making sure you come back?! I mean, if that isn't high suspense, I don't know what is, it's like a blog cliff hanger!!).  I wanted to buy the life story of Xavier Roberts and his Cabbage Patch Dolls, but it was $3, for .25, it would have been mine!

Anyway...

I made these for darling and I

I got my pattern
HERE!! at Heidi's Hats on etsy!!

 I still need to add the flowers...

Darling and I did this

I found these

Got this 

to make more cuffs and ↓↓↓THIS↓↓↓

I know I just made one, 

but...

they had me at RUFFLES!

Go to the link below and check out this fabulous blog.

Kevin and Amanda

and I started making this

Inspired by the ADORABLE Amber...I'm pretty sure that's where I saw this

well, "this" won't load, so I'm not sure where I saw it, but even if it wasn't Amber she's super inspiring!! So go check her out

HERE!!!!

Holy cow people.... when I started this post I started by saying I had nothing to say, obviously, I went back and deleted that!

It's almost noon now and I've done NOTHING, so I gotsta gotsta GO!!!!

Apple Crisp and a Halloween Sneak Peek...

Hello October!!

Ok, so I'm not a fan of fall like the rest of ya, but I do LOVE apple crisp (which is a fall thing, right?!).

I made a recipe a while back that frankly, SUCKED!  So I googled apple crisp and came up with one that had over 2,000 positive reviews and guess what?

They were right!

So, here it is:

(one side note, I am not so much of a sweet person and this is freakin' SWEET! I cut my white sugar to 3/4 cup and when I make it again, I'll cut it to 1/2...FYI)

Apple Crisp II

by Diane Kester

(from allrecipes.com)

Preheat over to 350

In a 9X13 pan:

put in 10 cups of apples (I like green granny smith).  mix 1 cup white sugar, 1 TBS flour, 1 tsp cinnamon and sprinkle over the apples.  Pour 1/2 cup water evenly over this.

In another bowl combine:

1 cup quick cooking oats, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 tsp baking power, 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 cup melted butter.  Mix together then sprinkle over the top of the apples mixture.

Bake at 350 for about 45 min.

Mmmmm, not only tastes great, your home will smell FABULOUS!

Let me know what you think!!

PS: she suggested serving it with rum raisin ice cream or a BIG dollop of freshly whipped cream... Ok, anyone that knows me KNOWS that is over the TOP for me!!  But if you like all the extras, GO FOR IT!

IF you don't know me, I am the most plain/bored with food eater ever.  My cousin use to say she hated to go places with me because I always forgot to eat.  "No, I don't want sauce on it, I don't want extra gravy, and I don't want you to add_____."

I eat healthy, I eat to live, I don't live to eat, but...

Warm Apple Crisp steals  my ❤ just a little!

Has anyone started decorating for Halloween?!

I've never been a big fan, but now that I have a child...

LOVE IT!!

Remember this guy?

and these guys?! I did the glitter skull tutorial last Oct- anyone give it a try?

They survived pretty well in plastic bags, missing a bit of glitter, but just a bit...

 Ok, how weird is my wall color in these pics?!  Speaking of pictures...

Canon is sending me some software so maybe now I can connect big girl camera to my mac?!

and... guess who just got PHOTOSHOP!!!???

Yeah, don't get all excited it could take me years to learn it.  I sat last night staring at the screen like a deer into oncoming traffic!!  IF you know of some good online photoshop tutorials, Please share!!

Ok, off to JoAnns cause I ran out of yarn less than 100 stitches from the end of Darlings newsboy/girl hat...well, of course I did!!!!

Have a fabulous weekend and make some apple crisp!

Baby Hat donation deadline coming SOON...Oct 31st!

**Info posted on the weekends for you newbies!**