This is a picture of the last swap that I need to complete before I leave for Silver Bella. Not to bad, you say? I wish I could agree, but I leave for Silver Bella on WEDNESDAY! That means I MUST finish this tomorrow. LOL! Where on earth did the time go anyway? Didn’t I just sign up for these swaps like yesterday? No worries, though. I will be finished. I’m super excited about this one as it is a one on one swap with my sweet sweet friend and Silver Bella roomie, Cheryl. It looks WAY better than I even imagined, which always makes me feel good.

Here are a few peaks into what has been my world this week…

Secret gifts for some awesome people.

Gift wrapping and packing yummy feltie swaps.

More gift wrapping and Ornabella swaps waiting to be packaged and packed.

Tomorrow is sure to be a VERY full day. I still have loads of laundry to get done, grocery shopping for the boys, wool to felt for one of my classes, that swap to finish, packing and making sure that I have all of my supplies! Calling it a night early tonight so that I can be sure to get an early start tomorrow. Can’t wait to share the fun with you all when I get back!

It’s been a while, huh? Things have been a bit hectic around here as I prepare for Silver Bella. Where did the time go? When I signed up for the swaps I’m participating in back in July, it seemed like I had so much time to get them done. As usual, I put it off and now I’m scrambling to get them finished in time. Ugh! Why do I always do this? Anyway, I’ll post photos of them when I get back. I don’t want to ruin the surprise for those that will be receiving my goodies. I can tell you this, though… they are super cute! I’m really happy with the way they are turning out.

In other news… 2010 is already shaping up to be a busy year! Along with working with Donna Downey at the 2010 Inspired Artist Workshop, I will also be working with Karen and Susan again at Reflections. Last year, I was asked if I would design a make and take for the Isle Carnival. Karen asked me if I would be interested in doing it again this year. Uh, yeah! Now, to come up with a fun make and take….

I’m off… just wanted to update really quick. It’s super early (for me) and I have a million and one things to get done today including going to the DMV! Yuck! Where’s the coffee???

If I’m supposed to be the adult, and I’m supposed to be old, why don’t I feel it? Today, I am officially the parent of an adult. Patrick turns 18 today. I still can’t believe it… not because he doesn’t act like it, but because I don’t feel like I could be old enough to have an adult child. I still get carded when buying alcohol at the grocery store! But, today is not about me. It’s about him…

and he is off to Disneyland today with two of his friends. Now that he’s 18, do you think he might get his driver’s license so that I don’t have to drive him all over timbuktu and back anymore?

Happy Birthday, my son. I love you with all my heart!

I’m not one for a lot of repetition. Once I’ve created something, I’m usually ready to move right on to the next thing. So, making multiples of things is not exactly my cup of tea. I guess that’s why I haven’t been able to keep my Etsy filled with goodies, huh?

Anyway, I’ve jumped in waist deep into the swaps for Silver Bella. I’ve completed 3 of the 7 that I signed up for. The photos above are the fourth one – the Ornabella Swap. These currently unfinished pieces with be going to the homes of 19 fellow swap partners in the form of a Christmas ornament. Thank goodness I have 4 weeks to complete them. That should help me with the repetition factor…

Recently, I participated in a Halloween goodie box swap with some of the people that have gone to Inspired. The last goodie box swap I participated in did not turn out so well. Actually, I sent out my box of goodies, but never received one in return. Kind of disappointing, but what can you do? Needless to say I was a bit worried about signing up for another goodie box swap. Although I love doing them, I was still stinging from the last one and didn’t want to get burned again.

Well, let me tell you, not only did I not get burned, but I am happy to report that I received the most beautiful box of yummies! Thank you, again, to my swap partner, Debi Ellis, for putting together such a wonderful gift. I can’t wait to get the extra special canvas up in my living room!

The box was literally bursting with black tulle!

Music paper wrapped around a vintage spool

Yummy garland for decorating

This spooktacular coffin box is amazing!

The box was filled with Giradeli chocolate!

This gorgeous canvas handmade for me by Debi

15 years, 2 babies, 1 house, 4 cats, 2 dogs… and still it doesn’t get any easier! But I’m so glad that I get to live the good times and the tough times with you. I love you, darling…

Wow! The Spooky Banner class was so much fun! There was glitter flying everywhere! I just love watching all of the banners coming together with everyone’s own special touches. My only regret… I didn’t take ANY pictures! YIKES! I’ll have to remember that for the next class.

And speaking of the next class, I’ll be teaching at the Oasis again on October 24th! The class is called Six in One Hand, Half Dozen in the Other. We’ll be making 12 scrapbook pages and 6 cards in class. It’s going to be a lot of fun. If you’re interested, you can sign up online here. Here are a few sneak peeks…

Hope you can join us!

There are still a few spots left in the Spooky Banner class I’ll be teaching at The Scrapbook Oasis this Friday. Can’t make it to the class? You can still get a kit for the banner. Order your kit today here.

Hope to see you there!

So, American Crafts is having a contest on their blog this week. Create a mini album using their products and post a link on their blog. Well, I designed this book a little while ago, but it is one of my absolute favorites. Supply list to follow photos:

Supplies: Paper: American Crafts Travel; Thickers: American Crafts; Chipboard: Maya Road; Other Alphabets: Hambly Studios, Making Memories; Arrow Mini Book: Kaiser Craft; Misc: Buttons, Paint, Glitter

Have you created a mini book using American Crafts products? Be sure to share it on their blog here for a chance to win some goodies.

I found this quiz on one of my friend’s pages on facebook and I just had to try it for myself. You are supposed to pick an artist then fill in all of the answers using only the titles of their songs. Of course, my favorite band right now is U2, so here goes…

Using only song titles from one artist, cleverly answer these questions. It’s much harder than it seems!

1. Are you male or female: Party Girl

2. Describe yourself: Flower Child

3. How do you feel about yourself: Big Girls Are Best

4. Describe your ex boyfriend/ex girlfriend: Bad

5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: Sweetest Thing

6. Describe your current location: Heartland

7. Describe where you want to be: In God’s Country

8. Your best friend is: Yahweh

9. Your favorite color is: Lemon

10. You know that: Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own

11. What’s the weather like: Beautiful Day

12. If your life was a television show what would it be called?: Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

13. What is life to you: Running to Stand Still

14. What is the best advice you have to give: Some Days Are Better Than Others

15. If you could change your name what would you change it to: Gloria

16. Your view of politics? Mysterious Ways

17. Your age?: 40

18. Your religion?: Grace

19. You at your worst?: So Cruel

20. You at your best?: Tryin’ to Throw Your Arms Around the World

If you try this, be sure to post a link in the comments section. I would love to see what others come up with!