morning kittens

"Can I come in please??"

Good morning Marmalade! are you waiting to come inside? But you look so cute there, I want to take your picture! stay right there.....

"Oh Great... hurry up! its only 29 degrees out here this morning.. in fact ... its snowing out!"

Look at you baby! your eyes are perfect big moon eyes.. so halloweenish.. and you fit right in with the girls and the halloween pillows! are you getting tired of getting your picture taken?? lets just take a couple more.. one of these should turn out PURRFECTLY!

"OH PA-LEASE!! just let me in for heavens sakes!!"

ok.. punkin.. you can come in now.. want your breakfast??

"ok..ok.. enough of the camera already!"

awww.. you little sleepy head! I love you!

And, Jasper what are you doing?? are you showing off so I'll take your picture too? awww.. I love you too!"hmmmmph!!

empty nest.. snowglobe, more dolls and other goodies

Good sunday morning to you all! Its been an interesting week! I'm about to be an empty nester! feels a little wierd I have to admit. Jennifer officially moved out friday into her own apartment. the same apartment that Bethany just moved out of! And now, my youngest informed me yesterday that he and his girlfriend have rented an apartment and he will be moving out next weekend! hmmmm... well, hmmm.. ok then. I should then have 3 empty rooms.. something tells me though that Roberts not going to be able to take all of his stuff.. I think i'll keep his room set up for Tony Jr to sleep in when he comes home. I'm sure Robert wont be taking everything with him anyways. hes moving into a small apartment. sooo.. this will be interesting.. Its been a lot of years with kids in the house, it'll be different with out at least one in!

Well., at least I'll still have violet! Who you can see, has taken up skate boarding! picking up right where my boys used to be! I think she'll keep me busy! she is also a little prankster... hiding plastic spiders in the candy corn! I'm glad I caught here, because they might have scared me!

Do you like her new outfit?? my sweet friend Sandy sent me a sweet little package with the adorable outfit and also the sweetest little halloween goodies! Thank you soo much Sandy ♥ xoxo

Speaking of recieving packages.. I have recieved a few wonderful things in the mail again! I'm actually having trouble keeping up with posting pictures and saying thank you!! I'm so afraid I will offend someone by leaving them out... lets see.. I recieved my sweet and sinister package from Geri.. thank you Geri! Geri sent me the sweetest things! heres a peek at a couple of the things she sent! thank you Geri! I especially love the vintage mobile!

I also recieved this package from vivlyn also from the sweet and sinister swap. I just love the halloween swag she made and this picture doesnt do it justice! thank you so much Vivian! (heehee.. another vivian! )

I did another swap with Grace Garton , emily G and tiffany m. Grace was the hostess of the swap and it was a three for three small animal swap. I made the three little black kittens, you might remember from a while back.. still excietedly waiting for tiffanys creation to arrive! Thanks Grace and Emily.. i love my new friends!

And lastly, I made this snow globe this week. I've had more fun with needle felting. but now, I really need to work on my bear order that I've put off for the past few weeks!

have a great day!

oops... a little edit here..Emily has posted pictures of two more of the dolls from the halloween ball doll swap these are Tanya and Emilys dolls and they were partners! the first sweet little pumpkin is what emily made for tonya and the second precious kitty is what Tanya made for Emily. great job girls! I'm so glad you both joined the swap!

I'll be posting the second annual snowman ornament swap in a couple weeks.. so stay tuned!

and.. one more thing.. I went to see the SECRET LIFES OF BEES lastnight. You should go.. it was a really good movie and I think the movie stuck very close to the way the book was, if youve read the book. My girls both loved it too! dakota fanning is so talented.. and queen latifa and jennifer hudson were great.. as were the rest! take a break.. go to the movies!

ttyl

autumn, blogger friend and halloween ball dolls

(this one is a little long guys!)

ok.. this giant pumpkin was pretty much given to me by a very nice man not too far from here who was selling pumpkins and gourds in his yard. I bought a ton of pumpkins and gourds and he hardly charged me, in fact he was so cheap I went back to get this big boy! but it was sooooo pale and squashy colored that I didnt like the way it looked in my yard.. then I thought..."PAINT IT!!" so, i painted it orange with gold, yellow and red and then put a face on it! now you cant even tell that it was that ugly orange before hand!!
And, look at these beautiful trees! I do LOVE fall, I just wish it didnt have to turn into winter.. so, for now, I have to enjoy the awesome colors and try not to think about the snow!
sooo pretty!!

This past sunday I got together with the oh so funny natalea! we went to breakfast at the cracker barrel, and then to the Clarence flea market.. well, that flea market was pretty blah.. I dont know how some people find such great things.. I dont usually find anything and sunday was no exception.. nat didnt buy anything there and I bought 3 pocket watch cases.. thats it! so we headed to Michaels.. that was fun! and then to tim hortons for an ice tea while we waited for buffalo stamps to open. there we hit the jackpot. they have the most wonderful scrapping supplies!! I do think that Natalie posted that this is her new favorite place in the world!! It was so nice to hang out with natalea for the day! we are looking forward to doing it again before the snow flys!

Isnt natalea adorable.. she didnt want to miss a thing in that store.. see her on her hands and knees????

OK.... now.. on.. to ... the....

HALLOWEEN BALL GUEST LIST!

OMG GIRLS! THE DOLLS ARE WONDERFUL. I'm always soo impressed! I have to show you the pics I've collected so far. At this point Im missing only 4. and I' will post them as they come in. I just cant wait any longer.. im too excieted.

This first doll, I recieved all the way from TASMANIA! ANd I have to say I am sooooo tickled by her. She is the most awesome little girl. She was created by Grace Garton at littleartycraftycrow. I was in one of Graces swaps too and recieved the most awesome little elephant too.. but I'll wait til later to show him to you! I do have to tell you that Grace is extremely talented! EXTREMELY!! i love this dolly!

This next pumpkin head girl was created by the marvelous CAtie Ann. Catie Ann has done most of the swaps I've hosted and she is SO CLEVER AND CREATIVE!! I'm so glad she always joins and I'm sure her partners are too. the little pumkins on caties doll light up! This little girl is really ready for the halloween ball!!
Then theres this incredible little witch girl designed and made by another INCREDIBLE gal... Jillian . Jillian is another one I can count on in my doll swaps! I have one of her dolls and its one of my favorites! Jillians dolls are always so bright and happy as is her little party witch! so darn cute she is!!

And OMG!! look at this little black feline dressed and ready to dance the night away ! IS she not just the cutest thing?? I want her. Nancy of dogpatchcritters, made her. Nancy makes the most awesome little dogs and cats! you have to check out her blog! thanks for joining nance!
and heres the two together, nancy and jillian were partners!

This wonderful creation was made by the sweet Annie Oakley! this was her first doll swap and I am sooo impressed with her doll, as is her partner i'm sure! Look at how stinking cute she is all dressed for the ball! I LOVE her! Her little expression is perfect! wonderful work annie! annies an undertaker ! she has a great blog about her life as an undertaker.. you should go there!! divaundertaker I'm so glad you joined Annie!

this adorable doll was made by Michelle G. Michelle doesnt have a blog, but comes to play and visit in blogland anyways! We have to get this girl rolling on a blog site of her own!! anyways.. LOOK at this sweet doll! Michelle lives in australia and was one of my partners! (I had two) I havent recieved this doll yet, but I know shes on her way and I cant wait to see her. Michelle you did a GREAT job! and I love her!

This sweet little witch was made by the very talented Cindy! Cindy is so enthusiastic about doing these doll swaps! And she makes such beautiful dolls! Whoever has had her for a partner has been very lucky! We're planning to do a swap of our own one of these days soon! Right Cindy?!

And this beauty, definitely dressed for the ball, was made by Amelia. AMelia is an awesome artist and has made some marvelous halloweenies! you need to check out her blog! Also for some reason she is a candy expert! and she has some monthly candy contest! She was my partner in the pinkeep swap and she made me a the SWEETEST little pinkeep ever!

anyways.. her partner is very lucky as this doll is awesome!

This perfectly precious pumpkin head was made by one of my newer blog friends RAndi! I am so impressed by this guy!!

Randi is another really CREATIVE artist.. I just cant get over all the talent out here!! I wish I could see all these dolls in person! I'm so glad you joined Randi!

Ok.. now check out this sweet doll!!! made by another Michelle from gingham world! Michelle makes the cutest dolls! this one is SO ADORABLE!! I love her! and I love her little black kitty pillow! You should definitely check out Michelles blog too and see some of the sweeties she creates! by the way, i love your new banner michelle!!

this darling halloween bear was made by my friend Lori V. She is an awesome teddy bear artist! I am also lucky to have one of her creations from a past swap! this little witch went to cindy! oh so cute!!

these last two dolls are the two I made.. the pumkin head went to GRace in TASMANIA! and the other to Michelle in Australia! Now does every body know that Tasmania is part of australia, or an island off of australia? My daughter keeps saying she thought it was a fictional place on bugs bunny... (she didnt really think that just likes to keep saying it!)

So that is all the pictures i have collected this far. I'm still waiting for pictures from Emily, Tanya and Carla.. and I cant wait to see what wonderful dolls they created and I also cant wait any longer to post this entry! so as soon as I get their pics, I'll be sure to post them. Actually, Carlas partner hasnt seen hers yet as she is on vacation. I do know she is excieted to get home and open it!

so thats all for now folks.. I have some needle felting to work on now! stay tuned for new pics!

hello its me!

Hello its me.. ! so what do you think ? should I dye my hair this color? my husband doesnt think so..... nah.. me either, not this bright anyways! If I was a teenager though, I seriously would dye my hair a light pink! I saw a beautiful pink wig, just the right soft pink color but it was 90.00. a little too much for play time ya know?? my daughter picked this one up at walmart for 5.00. I do like it on me though. Haha!!

SO , this is how the monkey ended up. he is now finished. Not quite sure what i'm doing with him yet. I actually thought about starting my etsy and he could be the first thing on there. but I want to wait till I have a few things to post. I've been busy the past couple days, moving my daughter bethany yesterday and making this banner and this punkinhead wand! and this huge mess!!

I think I need to make another banner, and then I will most likely be done making halloweenies.. and then I have to make those 8 memory bears!!!

I'm still waiting for pictures of all the halloween ball dolls. Please send them if you havent.. I really would like to do a post this weekend with pictures of all 14 dolls. I think I only have pics of 7. also dieing to know whose recieved and who hasnt. Im still waiting for mine to come (from australia and tasmania!) I know that one of mine was recieved all the way in tasmania! I havent heard from my other partner. I hope she recieved it by now! I cant wait to see what I will get ! I keep coming home from work all ready to open packages... makes me think of that song.. "mr post man..look and see.... if theres a PACKAGE in your CAR for me!" haha...

I am actually expecting a bunch of packages from several different swaps Ive been in. cant wait for them all to come! I have recieved a few packages lately though.. I received a package from teresa about 2 weeks ago, a wonderful box of wool roving and felting needles and a couple patterns! Thank you so much teresa!! I recieved a little birthday package from Kai! an adorable tiny teaset that she painted which I put somewhere and I cant find it today!!! I'll look again later! I also recieved a little halloween package from Randi! Thank you soo much girls! I might have recieved something else but I cant remember right now!
OH .. I have to tell you about Jasper... he is doing better! he is eating and going out side and talking and following me around and purring.. and I think hes probably gained back some of his weight! Those vets dont know what theyre talking about. I do have to admit that I was worried that I was going to wake up on my birthday and he would be gone,, but it was the opposite! he was a perky little punkinhead!! I think hes got another 4 years in him!!! ( i know, i know.. i might be being a tiny bit unrealistic.. dont worry!)

i have to go get a little bowl of ice cream.. cookie dough with peanuts and choc sauce.. why oh why did god have to invent that stuff!! i'm addicted.... ok, so god didnt invent the stuff, but he certainly put someone up to it!!

thats all for tonight... I ate that whole bowl of ice cream! I thought I said "little bowl" I dont know what happen... but now I am way to full! time to hit the couch, just in time for the news and a happy little nappy with jasper before I go to bed!

nightie night all!

a very chatty cathy.. err vivian

pictures of my front porch..

BURRR!! its cold out and in for that matter! that would be why i'm cold, cause its cold in.. cause, I'm not outside right now... duh! I bought a good size ceramic heater yesterday.. just turned it on.. what good is it if I forget to use it!! I do have to say, although its cold in and out... at least the sun is shinning brightly and it looks like it will be a nice day! which is good, because I'm on call and I have to go out and do 3 home visits, which I plan on doing early today.. to get them out of the way! Oh.. and I must have talked about hiring the amish to wash my windows enough that my husband got tired of it.. so he is going to wash them!! and it looks like a perfect day to wash windows!! (maybeeee.. just maybeee... i might help and wash the inside of a couple of them! I HATE washing windows!!)

Little tonys sleeping on the couch snoring away!! my goodness!! Oh.. and there go the church bells across the street.. . I really should go back to church.. I say it every sunday.. when those church bells ring!. Hubby just left for his sunday morning coffee, that he goes for every morning! Jenn and Rob and ashlee are not up yet. But, Jenn will be getting up soon because she does go to church! she is the music director at her church. Me.. I'm a heathen... I usually sit here working on a project or playing on the computer on sunday mornings... and the more I talk about it,,, the guiltier I feel.. so lets change the subject!

I made a little needle felted monkey.. hes / shes supposed to look like a sock monkey.. do you ever make something and just not like it when your finished?? well,, thats the story here.. I dont like the little monkey too much.. but I will continue to mess with it, until I do.

My kitchen table is covered with craft supplies again! I clean it up for a day and then mess it up for the rest of the week. I need a craft room/studio!! the good news is, I will have one VERY SOON!!! Jennifer is moving out in 2 weeks! Her first apartment! Actually she is moving into the apartment that Bethany had been living in.. Bethany is moving into a house which she is renting! So I will have an empty room!! yeehaw! I do have some plans cooking up.. the one thing I know I need to get right away is some good lighting. I'm going blind I swear.. I think I'll buy a floor lamp "ott" light and a table one with the magnifier on it.. ITs a small room, but I am excieted about it!

swappers swappers swappers.. how are we doing?? has everyone mailed their dolls out?? dont for get to email me your pictures.. I've gotten a few and what I'm seen so far is AWESOME!!! cant wait for all the pics so I can make the post with them all! All the swaps Im in are pretty much done. I have two private swaps to finish up and also Debra schochs swap to finish.. then I think I'm swapped out for a couple weeks!! Yes.. I will host the second annual snowman swap... Later! before i get involved with that, I have an order for 8 memory bears. I think I'll get them cut out today.

Speaking of bears.. here is my newest little bear. He is about 4 inches tall, made of mohair and then NEEDLE FELTED on his face!! Im telling you, I'm just so excieted about this needlefelting... even though the monkey didnt turn out too well!

well, I certainly am a chatty cathy to day arent I.. is anyone still reading this??? heehee!