trick or treat!

ok... so last year my daughter bought me a sewing machine for my birthday... aha! now the truth comes out.... I'm to make my grandbug's halloween costumes for the next 12 years or so....

it's ok... I love it! Turns out, my daughter loved the fact that I always made her halloween costumes! - who would have known???

Anyway... little grandbug's daddy is a huge, HUGE Ohio State Buckeye fan... er.. fanatic!@

So he wanted little grandbug to be Brutus... the Ohio State mascot.

...here's the inspiration... ( one of like three of these he has)

and here's the finished costume....

what do ya' think???

A to Z favorites...... X

so... I thought the letter X would be difficult, but I was so wrong....

let's start with XO Handworks soldered Map Pendants that can be found here.

Tam, handmakes each one of these in Osseo, Minnesota.

You can have custom map pendants made too!

What a great gift! Perhaps to remind someone far away of their hometown... or commemorate a fabulous trip... or a dream locale that you've always wanted to go to... mine would be Italy. Custom made pendants are only $24! What a deal!

Amber Coppings - from Pittsburg - makes these fabulous Xmittens!!!
They're fingerless gloves - get it? EX-MITTENS??

Xmittens! are practical, yet fashionable fleece fingerless gloves. Each has it's own unique stitched design and machine embroidery around the thumbhole for increased durability.

Apparently, Amber actually started making these because it was so darn COLD in her studio and she needed to be able to use her fingers, but also to stay warm while she makes stuff!

These totally fixed that problem - and stylishly too, I might add.

find them here

XO Designs......

oh I so want to get one of these with my little grandbug's picture!!!!

These make great gifts!! Everyone loves their image in POP Art!

Lisa, from Columbus, Ohio creates these one-of-a-kind POP Art pieces.... just send her a digital image of the person you would like to POP Art and within a week she will send you a printed image with POP!!

I especially love the doggie one!! perfect gift for the hard-to-buy-for person!

find them at XODesigns here.

introducing Yoda Flubber Duck

those of you who know me, know that I'm definitely a dog person.... always have been....

so what am I doing with this thing??? I don't even like cats!

A few months back my neighbors discover this little guy skulking about the basement of our apartment building. Well certainly he must belong to someone here, right? I mean, how else does he get into a secure apartment building?

He was skinny and scared. Both of my neighbors already have two cats so they asked me to keep him until we found the owner - ok... no problem - what's that going to be... a day? two days?

Well here it is like five months later... he's no longer scared and definitely not skinny... and I guess he's a keeper!

My friend, and neighbor named him Yoda - mainly because of his abnormally large ears... my little grandbug calls him "duck" (for some reason he calls everything 'duck')

.... and now he's gotten so fat my daughter refers to him as 'flubber" - so there you have it... he is officially Yoda Flubber Duck and I guess he's stickin' around!

he really is a little sweetheart... so affectionate... he might be growing on me a little :)

Quote of the Day

"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do.
There can be no courage unless you are scared."
- Edward V. Rickenbacker

Friday funnies.....

found via
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What's Sex?

A little girl runs out to the yard where her father is working, and asks him, "Daddy, what's sex?"

Her startled father sits her down, and tells her all about the birds and the bees. He tells her about conception, sexual intercourse, sperms and eggs.

He goes on to tell her about puberty, menstruation, erections, wet-dreams... and, he thinks -- what the hell -- and goes on to tell her the works. He covers a wide assortment of topics and by the time he's finished, his daughter is somewhat awestruck with this sudden influx of bizarre new knowledge.

Her father finally asks: "So what did you want to know about sex for?"

"Oh, mommy said to tell you breakfast would be ready in a couple of secs..."

via

Quote of the Day

"When nothing is sure, everything is possible"
-Margaret Drabble

drumroll please......

wow! a total of 374 entries for my earring give-away on Designs by Vanessa's blog!!! What an overwhelming response! THANK YOU!

Since I had soooo many people respond, I decided to give away both pairs of earrings.!!

The winner is Jinxy & Me from Minnesota, and she chose the ruby tuesday earrings.

The runner up and winner of the may flower earrings is Jen from Nova Scotia!

Congratulations to both the winners! I hope you love them as much as I love making them!

Quote of the Day

"Never regret. If it's good, it's wonderful. If it's bad, it's experience.
- Victoria Holt

today's the last day...

to enter to win a pair of my earrings! Enter on Designs by Vannessa blogspot here.

You can win your choice of my 'ruby tuesday' earrings or 'may flowers'.

ruby tuesday

may flowersgo ahead and enter! It's easy!

Friday funnies....

Zero to 200 in six seconds....

Bob was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary.

His wife was really pissed.
She told him “Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE !!”

The next morning he got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.

Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway, brought the box back in the house.

She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Bob has been missing since Friday.

via

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Fridays in Hell…

One day a guy dies and finds himself in hell. As he is wallowing in despair, he has his first meeting with the devil …

Satan: ‘Why so glum?’

Guy: ‘What do you think? I’m in hell!’

Satan: ‘Hell’s not so bad. We actually have a lot of fun down here. You a drinking man?’

Guy: ‘Sure, I love to drink.’

Satan: ‘Well, you’re gonna love Mondays then. On Mondays, that’s all we do is drink. Whiskey, tequila, Guinness, wine coolers, Tab and Fresca. We drink ’til we throw up and then we drink some more! And you don’t have to worry about getting a hangover, because you’re dead anyway.’

Guy: ‘Gee that sounds great!’

Satan: ‘You a smoker?’

Guy: ‘You better believe it’

Satan: ‘All right! You’re gonna love Tuesdays. We get the finest cigars from all over the world and smoke our lungs out. If you get cancer - no biggie, you’re already dead, remember?’

Guy: ‘Wow … that’s awesome!’

Satan: ‘I bet you like to gamble.’

Guy: ‘Why, yes, as a matter of fact I do.’ Satan: ‘Good, ’cause Wednesdays you can gamble all you want. Craps, blackjack, roulette, poker, slots, whatever. If you go bankrupt, it doesn’t matter, you’re dead anyhow.’

Guy: ‘Cool!’

Satan: ‘What about drugs?’

Guy: ‘Are you kidding? Love drugs! You don’t mean …?’

Satan: ‘That’s right! Thursday is drug day. Help yourself to a great big bowl of crack or smack. Smoke a doobie the size of a submarine. You can do all the drugs you want. You’re dead so who cares.’

Guy: ‘Wow! I never realized Hell was such a cool place!’

Satan: ‘You gay?’

Guy: ‘No…’ Satan: ‘Oooo, Fridays are gonna be tough …

via

Quote of the Day

"If you can’t be a good example, then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.
- Catherine Aird

A to Z favorites.... W

and "W" is for.....
WackyJacky!!

Just look at these fabulous creations! Oh I just have to get my little grandbug one of these!

Each one is completely handmade and one of a kind. And they have their own personality with a little story to match!

To see the Sock Monstahs humble beginnings go to Sockmonstahs.com & learn more about them, the charities they help, and the crazy lady who creates them.

You can also find them in her Etsy shop... WackyJacky

and to top off all this monstah goodness... she even makes Charity Monstahs: Charities are specified in each Monstah's description. 100% of the sales of the item goes to it's specific charity.

And do read those descriptions... they're hysterical!!!

I love these 'any occasion' Window cards by Lucky Duck Designs.....

Lucky Duck Designs is home to a collection of sweet and thoughtful cards for you to share with loved ones near and far.

Who wouldn't rather have a sweet hand-made card as opposed to the mass-produced ones you can buy at any discount store.... and these won't cost you a bit more - in fact, they are LESS expensive... and oh so more beautiful.

She also has a line of customizable holiday cards!! What are you waiting for?

Her beautiful cards can be found here.

Stainless Steel Ball Tip Whisk

Ok... we all know I love to cook.... and I love kitchen gadgets, especially ones that look this cool!

...which is why I love Williams-Sonoma. Check out this whisk!

"Distinguished by its unique design, this 18/10 stainless-steel professional whisk is just what you need for quickly whipping air into egg whites or cream, or incorporating liquids into dry ingredients. The secret to its efficiency? The straight wires are topped with weighted beads that increase the whipping force and also reach into the corners of pans and bowls, at any angle. Dishwasher safe. 10 1/2" long."

find it here

Quote of the Day

"A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. A woman must do what he can’t."
- Rhonda Hansome

Quote of the Day...

Ooops! I missed "friday funnies!" I'm sorry... so here's a quote that a friend of mine sent me - I've tried to find the author, but haven't been able to.

So we're mixing "quote of the day" with "friday funnies"!!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply.

If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.

If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.

If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.

She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.

So - if you give her any crap, you will receive a ton of shit."

Love and appreciate all the women in your life.

birthdays, umbrellas and friendship

ok.. I know.. odd title... but I had a birthday a couple weeks ago (and no, I won't tell you which one), but it was so touching.

I've never really had a lot a female friends... and I've come to really appreciate what it means to have them. Not just the acquaintances we see or socialize with, but a true friend. We tend to use the term "friend" so loosely - in my opinion.

Friends are like rare gems (excuse the comparison to jewelry, but hey.. it's what I know!)... they know you better than your own family. They accept you for who you are, even if it is not like them... even if they totally disagree with you... they accept you... They accept that you're addicted to bacon, even if they're vegans.

They protect you.....they buy you umbrellas because you don't have the sense to come in out of the rain.

That is a friend. They respect your choices and will not judge you for them, they help you be they best 'you' you can be....

Quote of the Day

"Do the common thing in an uncommon way."
- Booker T. Washington

Red Sponge Coral

I've recently been using this a lot in my designs and I thought I'd share a little about this beautiful, vibrant stone. It reminds me of paprika.

Sponge coral is actually its trade name... it's real name is melithaea ochracea (see why they just call it sponge coral??)

Sponge coral really has nothing to do with sponges. It just looks like a sponge.

Other than shells and animal teeth, coral was one of the earliest materials used in jewelry.

Neolithic amulets in red coral found in digs in Switzerland date back to 8000 BCE.

Why wear it??

Sponge coral promotes a childlike, fun mood.

Coral helps restore harmony in the event of emotional conflict.

It works against nutritional deficiencies, depression and lethargy.

Mystical power: Coral is said to cure madness and give wisdom. It excites nerve power, brilliancy and gladness and is a true health-giver.

You'll find these (pictured) and many other designs in my online shop - which can be found here.

Or just click on a photo to be taken to that item.

Earring Giveaway!!!!

I'm giving away a pair of earrings to one lucky winner who will get to choose between the "ruby tuesday" or "may flower" earrings.

Win them just in time for gift giving or as a special gift for yourself!! Either way, they will come in a cotton-filled gift box, all tied up with a ribbon.

Vanessa - of Designs by Vanessa - is hosting this giveaway!

To enter, go to her blog
Designs by Vanessa

and follow her instructions.

The winner will be picked at random from all the entries received on October 9th...

Good luck!!!
and a great big THANKS to Vanessa for hosting this for me!!!!
YAY !

the PERFECT alarm clock!

Ok... this is it! Any of you who know me, know that I'm addicted to bacon. (yes, I'm sorry, but I am! ) I could easily be a vegetarian if it weren't for this salty, crunchy, smoky, delectible delight. (ok... now I'm hungry for bacon)

Check this out!!!!
by Matty Sallin, Daniel Bartolini, Hsiao-huh Hsu

WHAT: An alarm clock that wakes you up with the smell and sizzle of cooking bacon.

WHY: No one likes to wake up, especially by an alarm. This clock gently wakes you up with the mouthwatering aroma of bacon, just like waking up on a Sunday morning to the smell of Mom cooking breakfast. Unless you're Jewish.

HOW: A frozen strip of bacon is placed in Wake n' Bacon the night before. Because there is a 10 minute cooking time, the clock is set to go off 10 minutes before the desired waking time. Once the alarm goes off, the clock it sends a signal to a small speaker to generate the alarm sound. We hacked the clock so that the signal is re-routed by a microchip that in responds by sending a signal to a relay that throws the switch to power two halogen lamps that slow-cook the bacon in about 10 minutes.

OMG!!! Wouldn't this be fabulous????


found via

Friday funnies

You've probably read the hoopla about all the "photoshopping" in magazines etc... here are some fabulous photoshop mistakes!!

no head!!! ... from Sports Illustrated via

need an extra hand????

via
apparently, Curves cereal turns your stomach white!

via
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Supposedly, these are actual advertisements that have appeared in papers across the country.

Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children.

Tired of cleaning yourself? Let me do it.

The hotel has bowling alleys, tennis courts, comfortable beds, and other athletic facilities.

Stock up and save. Limit: one.

We build bodies that last a lifetime.

Man wanted to work in dynamite factory. Must be willing to travel.

UsedCars: Why go elsewhere to be cheated? Come here first!

Wanted: Hair-cutter. Excellent growth potential.

Wanted. Man to take care of cow that does not smoke or drink.

3-year-old teacher needed for pre-school. Experience preferred.

Auto Repair Service. Free pick-up and delivery. Try us once, you'll never go anywhere again.

Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with round bottom for efficient beating.

Semi-Annual after-Christmas Sale.

via

Quote of the day

"Failure seldom stops you; what stops you is the fear of failure."
- Jack Lemon