because you can't, you won't and you don't...stop

Just got the new Craft Saturday holiday show postcards in the mail and I can't wait to move out and post these in every coffee shop and crafty place of business in the area. (And cute little bundles of anything wrapped in string ... I just love that.)

Mark your calendars now for some killer Christmas shopping - Craft Saturday will be at the 4th Street Theater, next to Java Joe's downtown on December 6th. (If you've never been to C.S. before, please note that this is not your grandma's craft show. I mean that in a good way.) Erin and I will be there in full force, as usual. Dressed like elves. Okay, now I'm lying. But we'd really like to see you there. Come out and support the local craft scene!

I've been busy working on some brand new stuff for the Etsy shop. Holiday related, of course. Mini book kits (complete with very cute little 6x6" albums) and number/date tags for December and January.

I'm taking this online class with Elsie. (photo from her blog, above.) I couldn't resist. Man, that girl just has endless ideas! I finished up some cool projects and pages with the November Red Velvet kit (which rocked so much) - photos will be up on Saturday. In the meantime, go over and check out what Theresa made. I wish there were more hours in the day to do everything I want to be doing - I still have much more to do with my books from AW's Evidence and Rachel's Steady Hand, Faulty Heart. I'm in love with these new projects and art journals are where it's at, for sure. But I've also got a healthy amount of freelance work on my plate (which is great) so I must balance the to-do list.

Egg Press is 25% off. Ordered the offset calendar and it's all Jamaica's fault.

Ork Posters is also having their first anniversary sale, and I've had my eye on these for some time. I think I'm going with the black Chicago screenprint. But the other colors are tempting. Midwest, represent. We have family there and visit often. Bo used to live and go to school there. So Chicago has our heart. But so does New York City.

And this lovely thing arrived in my mailbox last week from Rar Rar Press - totally made my gray, dreary day a little bit more, um, yellow. Every time I read it, it makes me giggle. I'm putting up random things in frames in my scrap/graphic design work area and this just may complete the little group. Bo asked if I'll take it down when Lo is old enough to read it, but I'm trying to thing of something else it could stand for so I can leave it up. (Don't worry, I'll take it down.)

b*tches can't hang with the streets...

The sycamore trees in our back yard have let loose. Some of the leaves are over a foot in diameter. And there are lots and lots of them. Which means crazy clean up.

But also tons of fun for Lotus to play in.

Literally tons. Of leaves.

Fall for me is... carrying this bag from Target. That I'm not afraid to ruin with random sippy cup apple juice leakage.

And brown comfy super soft awesome boots. Yes, I finally decided on a pair. Howeth. And they don't have high heels because, again, I have to balance both myself + a wriggly toddler.

And again, with the falling. With style. Got this in the mail last week from this girl and now it's in a little frame in my office/scrap area.

I had an awesome Goodwill week. Found these boots for $4. Even though Bo despises things (especially shoes) that were pre-owned. He gave me an earful about foot diseases. (I know, I know.) I did give them a good sanitization inside and out and they seem to have been barely worn. It's rare to find a pair of thrifted boots that aren't horribly embellished all to hell that actually are my size.

And I thought they might go well with my Free People dress. When the weather warms up again. I swear this dress looks cuter in person. And I wear a better tank under it. A racer back. Anyway.

I also scored this pretty little guy.

Or girl. I haven't decided on a gender yet. It's circa 1988 and as described on another blog, is very 'knight rider-ish.' Now I'm on a mission to find some cheap 600 film for it. So we can play.

Then I uncovered this yellow and black thermal carafe. I just like the shape. I think I'll give it to Erin for her shop, PagingMisterHerman. If she wants it. (Erin, do you want it?)

I busted little girly a couple of days ago getting into my jewelry. Then I decided to help her in her mission to get fabulous. Complete with headband and silly gold chain medallion necklace.

She's such a girl. It surprises me. She sat and played with these bracelets for almost an hour.

Question - will someone make me one of these? Dude, it's Asteroids.

And I remember Elise doing a photo of all of her mini books awhile ago. So I decided to do the same. Although after I took this, I remembered that I had more that didn't make it to the photo shoot ... oh well. It's fun to look through some of these - mostly from this past year - and see things I had already forgotten about.

I've had this song in my head lately, even though it's old ... the Ben Folds version. These kids from Berkeley do a bang up job. Keep watching past the first kind of dorky guy... it gets better. I've been whistling it all day.

work it.

Today is Friday and what does that mean?

It's time to work your soul, baby.

The new challenge is up right now.

And it's fabulous.

So before you wonder what all this funny business is about, go check it for yourself.

Here are my scrap pages inspired by Kim's awesome, awesome prompt.

All featuring my friend...

...and partner in craft...

...Erin. (Yo, girl.)

I'm also having a blast with Ashley Wren's online class this week. I've had a slow start but I'm having loads of fun with paint and markers and crayons and stickers and bright fun colors, AW style.

work it.

Today is Friday and what does that mean?

It's time to work your soul, baby.

The new challenge is up right now.

And it's fabulous.

So before you wonder what all this funny business is about, go check it for yourself.

Here are my scrap pages inspired by Kim's awesome, awesome prompt.

All featuring my friend...

...and partner in craft...

...Erin. (Yo, girl.)

I'm also having a blast with Ashley Wren's online class this week. I've had a slow start but I'm having loads of fun with paint and markers and crayons and stickers and bright fun colors, AW style.

hello November.

First of all, wow. We did it. Whew, so very exciting!
“We have witnessed tonight in America a revolution of values, a revolution of ideals. There’s been a transformation of America, and it will have unbelievable influence on the world.” – Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.

(And now back to life as usual. That was a terrible segue. My apologies.) But. You really must check out the full monty on November's RVKC kit, 'Thankful.'

Honestly, this kit is mind-blowing. You get a ton of amazing stuff this month. Do you see all the possibilities here? And it gets better...






Enough to make a seriously fabulous fall mini book.
Or lots of layouts.
Heck, you can easily do both.

Um, hi, did I mention that the mini book is even included? If you've been on the fence before as to whether or not to buy a Red Velvet kit, trust me, you will want this one. It's on sale right now, here. Whether it's your very first kit club purchase or your 35th, do not let this one slip away!

I'm 100% addicted to checking Leanimal's Etsy shop for updates.

Yup, Leanne from PR. She has an Etsy shop!

You know I'm obsessed with the girl. And just look at these pretties.

Poor Leanne has been inundated with hundreds of emails since her win, but I'm stalking her shop in hopes of finding a gem of a little dress or top that hasn't been reserved.

I am in love with her gorgeous dresses but I would absolutely wear her more casual every-day stuff. I loved what she wore on the show.

I would pretty much give my left arm to have any of these in my closet. So pretty.

And then there's this dress - sigh - the Printing Press Sheath from Anthropologie. Even the name is so good.

It's just all kinds of beautiful and I've been lusting after it since I got the first fall catalog this season. The flutter sleeves aren't really my thing, but that inky jet black print is to die for. And therefore I could live with the flutter sleeves. But the price... egads. I will wait. To see if it goes on sale. Sigh.

Challenge #6 just went up over at The Creative Type. I just love those girls, I really do. And this challenge was fun and easy - mix it up, mix it up! The type, that is.

And here's a random page that I finished at Get Inspired. Which was such a fun time. Fifteen hours of scrap; yes, fifteen.

Minna and Angel did a fantastic job and the whole day flowed without a hitch.

I got to spend lots of quality time with my girl Erin.

I helped Amy out with the supply booth and got snapped by the Des Moines Register, dolla-dolla bill in hand. (That girl I'm talking to in the photo was making me laugh so hard.)

And scrapped with Brandy, Tonya, Jen H. and Angie!
(Group photo snagged from Brandy's blog.)

New friends, old friends, and some friends you didn't know that you already knew. Loved it.

And speaking of Get Inspired, I have some kits left over from my class. If you'd like to make a cute 6x6" mini chipboard book, head on over to my Etsy shop where I'll be listing the rest of the kits. They all include paper from the American Crafts Metropolitan line plus lots of other supplies and can be used for any subject, although I will include three pages of full-color instructions if you want to make the same project I taught in class. :)

yes we can.

Please take a couple of minutes to watch. If you weren't planning on voting, if you don't think your vote matters, please know that it does. And it's not too late.

Let's do this.

this is it.

Bored? Need something to do? Join GOOD. It takes about 3 seconds. This lovely girl inspired me to go check out their website, as I had only seen the nifty little Good sheets around at Starbucks. For a donation in the amount of your choice to the charity of your choice ($1 + up) you get a one year subscription to their ultra cool magazine. They donate 100% of your subscription fee (again, in the amount you choose) to whichever organization you choose. Now that's nifty.

I have decided to embark on Ashley Wren's 'evidence' adventure. Starts today. Brain starting to warm up with ideas already. I'm the girl with too many blank journals laying around, waiting for something cool to magically appear in them, so I'm stoked to break one out and put it to work. (AW is already blowing my mind.)

Last year, I had such a blast participating in Shimelle Laine's Journal Your Christmas class. If you're thinking of making a daily Christmas album for the month of December, this is the way to go. If you sign up once, you're in it for life - yes, every Christmas, every year. And Shimelle emails you a pdf every day (37 in all) starting December 1 up through the New Year. It is one of my all-time favorite projects that I've ever done, and I promise you'll be thrilled with everything she has cooked up for the class. Especially when it comes to writing down the stuff that matters most - this is all the help you'll need. You can see my book from last year here and here and here.

And thanks to Sarah and Angie for the heads up on NaBloPoMo. (Not making any promises here...)

We all know it's almost time to vote, right?
One more day. Let's do this.

And have you seen this offer from Starbucks? There's no excuse not to get your butt to the polls - go VOTE! (and then go to the 'Bux and pick up your free coffee.)

dude.

Today, I'll be here. All day, all night, word to your mother.

I'll be teaching this class. (It didn't sell out so I'll probably be selling extra kits on the Etsy shop if you're interested - only $15!)

I have been seriously illin' all week and today I completely lost my voice, which is lovely timing knowing that I'm going to need to say something during my class, and it's going to have to be louder than a whisper. Wish me lots and lots of luck. ;)

And wow. Get ready to pounce on this one. Check out the goods in November's kit from Red Velvet Kit Club. It will be officially up for grabs Monday, November 3, so be ready! You'll be sad if you miss out. (Umm, check out those colors! Doesn't Rachel do an amazing job? Yup. I know.)

this is about to get heavy

First off, check out the sneak peak of November's 'Thankful' kit from RVKC! I'm loving the little owl paper, felt leaves and the Hambly rub-ons. Can't wait to show you the rest - papers from Cosmo Cricket and Basic Grey. More photos coming very soon!

We took Lo (a.k.a. Foofa) to Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo last weekend. Trick or treating at the zoo is very fun. And the weather was sunny and perfect.

Check out that lion...

Awesome huge monsters along the trick or treating path.

Gotta get a pic in front of the huge Night Eyes pumpkin.

More pumpkin love...

Um, arm around the pumpkin.

And I was just about to tell poor Curious George that he probably shouldn't touch the L. At all. She's not the touchy-feely type.

Saturday was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in downtown Des Moines.

A team of us girls braved the cold morning air to walk for a good cause.

I met these girls through a local moms' group. And we've become pretty tight over the past year or two. It was fun to spend this morning together, supporting 'the girls.'

And we finally saw Metallica on Sunday night. The last time they played in Des Moines was Lollapalooza '96. I was a senior in high school, and I was there. Their show this time around was just as tight as it was twelve years ago. Plenty of the old stuff along with a few of my new faves from Death Magnetic. You've probably heard enough about them from me already, so I won't drone on about how perfectly awesome their show was. (I do have to mention, though, that Down opened, and I am definitely down with Down. Phil Anselmo of Pantera is the lead singer and he is absolutely nuts on stage. I was lucky enough to see Pantera (before Dimebag's murder) in the 90s and experience one of the most memorable concerts I've ever been to. Phil's energy on stage is hard to match and I hope to see them again around here soon.) Anyway, here are some photos from Sunday night's show. (The top five are snagged from the Des Moines Register.)

James Hetfield delivered. (And there were lazers!)

I love Kirk Hammett.

Rob Trujillo, formerly of Suicial Tendencies. This dude is scary on the bass.

Lars played crazy fast.



And this is why I love Metallica so much. The video quality sucks but the audio isn't bad. Feel free to close your eyes if it makes you dizzy. And wait for it, wait for it ... you must see the pyrotechnics.

the weekend is here.

It's Friday, people, and that means the weekend is finally here. It's going to be a good one. The second challenge at Work Your Soul is up. Go-go-go check it out if you have a minute!

I made a crazy little book documenting our entire San Diego trip this summer. Fifty photos + vintage postcards + the notes I took down in a little notebook while we were in Cali. (So glad I did this because I had forgotten about a lot of stuff since then.)




Yup, that's right. Fifty photos.

Tomorrow morning my friend Yana is picking me up bright and early so we can get our butts downtown for the Race for the Cure. (We're not actually racing, more like walking. And speaking of Yana, you must check out her new photo blog. This girl is talented!) I assembled a team of Y.U.M.s (Young Urban Moms, a local moms' group) this year. And made the logo for our t-shirts for the walk. The final two choices for our slogan were 'support the girls' or 'kicking some A to save the Ts.' :)

This is what we'll be rocking on our t-shirts tomorrow. Because we'll have some kids walking with us and none of us wanted to explain the T&A slogan to the little ones. Funny as it is.


Still getting ready for my class at Get Inspired, and getting so very excited for Metallica this weekend. And on that note, I leave you with this. Courtesy of my friend Amy. Take off your t-shirt, Miss Metallica. Hahaha.