Just wanted . . .

That's right, I just wanted . . . to wish EVERYONE a happy New Year!!! They say that whatever you do on the first day of the new year, you will continue to do it all year!! So, no laundry for me tomorrow!! {okay - who am I fooling!!! I hope I do laundry all year, 'cause that would be one monster pile of laundry!!} Don't SWEEP - I think that is suppose to mean you will sweep a loved-one out of your life!! And make sure you eat those black-eyed peas!!! Whether it truly means you will come into money or not - WHO CARES - I don't want to chance it!! If this is the year we are to come into money, I'm going to take any & all precautionary measures to make sure it's going to happen!! ha!

For Christmas, Lonnie bought me a new kitchen/dining table - UNFINISHED!! Woohoo!!! Guess what we are doing tonight?? Painting that joker!! Black & Distressed with about 27 coats of poly - PERFECT!!! Now that is my idea of a party!!! I doubt that we get to the poly tonight, but no reason the paint won't be completed by the time the sun comes up!!

No matter your plans for a fabulous night - Here's to an AWESOME NEW YEAR!!

needin' some inspiration . . .

So, I really need to get going a little faster with the new samples. I've got some great design ideas, but I'm totally running in the wall when it comes to the color choices. SO I WENT TO MICHAEL'S {only because Hobby Lobby isn't open on Sundays!!} My plan was to find some cute girlie scrapbook paper because I got the boy stuff down pat. I mean - come on - how cute is that stuff?! While I was there, I couldn't help myself but to peruse the isle of chipboard letters {love those things!!} I found the cutest girlie ones ever!!

I really like K & Company products because they are normally my vintagey like style! {Vintagey = is that a word??} Like normal - my picture taking skills are far from perfect & you can't see the great colors - but the above link should take you right to them!!

Oh so perfect for what I'm looking for!! I have no idea what the heck kind of project I will use these for, but they sure did wonders for a little inspiration!!

Where have I been???

I can hear all of you asking!! I've been freakin' sick as well as all 3 kids!! I'm talking about some major funk!! I really thought I was dying the day after Christmas - Seriously!! It was horrific. I was having small panic attacks because every time I tried to swallow, my eyeballs felt like they were going to be sucked back into my head! This due to the fact that my nasal passages were swollen so bad that not smidge of air could pass through!! Horrible - I tell ya'!! I still have a gross cough and somewhat congested, but at least I don't feel like I'm at death's door. I ended up having a touch of bronchitis to go with this severe sinus infection. I truly can say that I've never coughed like this before - ever !!! Needless to say - Christmas was canceled for us!! Don't get me wrong, we had an awesome Christmas here at the house with all the boys, but we didn't go anywhere.

I didn't finish any of the last Christmas projects - "boohoo!!" But I've put all the stuff away for next year - surely I can start early in the season and complete them all!! {Yeah - we'll see!?} That is about the only Christmas I've put away - I must start the tear down of Christmas 2007 first thing in the morning. Now - this stuff is getting on my nerves looking at it. Nothing is sadder than a tree with no gifts under it!! I normally like it gone by yesterday - didn't happen due to my "funk" - but like I said, I'm felling better now - so time to get to work!!!

Maybe tomorrow I will have something interesting to post!! Talk to you then!!

A is for Ainsley . . .

Okay - so, how stinkin' cute is this one?? I didn't really get a shot of the sides, but it is the same light lavender color with my signature polk-a-dot finish edge!! Love it!!! I really like the tiny pearls on the front. I just realized that you can't see the same pearls on the crown - but I assure you they are there and extremely cute!! I really like this style of crown - it reminds me of "the princess and the frog" type of crown! Does that make since to any of you?? It's the really tall and skinny crown!! This one is in silver, but I normally think of that one being gold - BUT none the less, it still reminds me of that type of story!! And I love it!!

I've got 2 more to complete {for twin boys!} After that, I've got to start on all the new sample paintings!! I'm so ready to get through all of those!! And what I mean is that I'm ready to just sit down and figure out what I'm going to really offer the customers. I typically over-think these things!!

HE DELIVERED . . . .

Yes, my husband did the good husband thing, and actually got the copies made on the transparencies for this last ornament project -----BUT ----- they looked like c*r*a*p!! Not his fault though, the copier's fault. It literally only copies with the color BLACK - not even with a gray scale - and we need a little color difference going on that we just didn't get!! UHHHH - so maybe tonight in this FRIGID weather we are finally having, I will go get MY FREAKIN' TRANSPARENCIES!!! And we can finally get STARTED!!! Even if I have to load up all my kidlets and take them with me - I'm getting these clear, sheets of paper!!!

And those who receive these as gifts from me, BETTER act like they are gold and YOU have NEVER received such a WONDERFUL GIFT, EVER from anybody!!! Okay, that was a little over the top, but now I'm so afraid these are going to look retarded, jacked up or just plain ugly. . . and I feel like I've made you all wait for some great finale of an ornament . . . and it is going to be some massive let down!! So, I'm apologizing now - "sorry" - please come back and visit the blog at least once a year so that I'm not just typing/talking to myself!! PA -leeze!! Thank you for your support . . .

I love this frame . . .

I absolutely LOVE this frame!! I don't usually frame the paintings that I create UNLESS the customer request it. That normally comes from someone who doesn't live near a Hobby Lobby or such place where they can get it framed themselves - such as in this case. I really like this frame - it looks so good with the taupe or gold background. And at a whopping $12.50 {when it is half off} - you can't beat that with a stick!!

By the way this is the majority of the paintings this holiday season . . . that is why you've not gotten as many sneak peeks as you would've liked because I'm afraid these would bore you!! Don't worry though, I've got 3 kid ones{full namers} that's ordered that I will definitely post upon completion.

So, let me tell you about this last ornament project!!! From the beginning - this IS {because I still plan on doing it} going to be an easy ornament, but I obviously am making it way harder than it should be ONLY because I'm cheap and was trying to use "materials" that were at my disposal. Are you following me?? Just in case you're not, let me go further . . . see we will be using transparency. Now this stuff is not a "budget buster" - but it ain't cheap either!! So, Lonnie said he had some at work and that he would just bring it home for me to use - he had "cases of it"!!! I thought "great - surely they won't miss a few sheets!" He brings home a massive box and I get right down to work. Well after I printed my "groovy something" {that I ain't gonna tell ya till you see it}, I noticed the ink was not drying quick enough for me. No prob, I'll just let it set over night - the joker will definitely dry by then!! Well, it didn't - nor did it by the next day!! Got to looking at the crap that Lonnie brought me - it is for a copier - not printer!! Thanks man, made me waste all that time!!!! Well, he was "trying" to be nice {I did say "trying" - key word} and volunteered to take it to work and do it on the copier!! The fool ended up taking the next 2 days off from work!! "Now how in the world are you going to make these retarded copies when your stinkin' butt ain't at work!!!" Uhmm uh - ain't got an answer do ya?!?!

Needless to say, the wanker went to work today and I've emailed the images to him - we will see if he can deliver tonight!! My cheap-o self might be making a special trip to Office Max and buying what I really need!! Sorry for the hold-up - watch them not even be worth the wait for you guys!!! I did do a practice one and it's all smeared due the ink NOT drying - but the overall effect is awesome {or so I think!!} But I guess I'll let you all be the judge of that!

Since we are getting so close to Christmas, I will probably do only one more project! I will {hopefully} get started on it this weekend. I hope everyone has a great Friday!!

Wheww. . . .

So far, this month has flown by!! Glad to know that all the Christmas shopping is done, wrapped and sitting pretty under my tree!! But I'm concerned that I'm too tired lately - I'm really thinking my iron is low - I so need to call the doctor! Not only that, I think that my diabetic state has kicked in!! Seems my body just can't regulate mine and my kid's sugar when I'm pregnant - every time I'm pregnant!! I eat really good, but I top off every meal with something sweet!! Literally, every meal!! So, gestational diabetes is sooo hard on me, my willpower, my sanity and anyone around me!! I was thinking about pushing them to go ahead and do the blood work, BUT I think I might hold out for as long as I can - ESPECIALLY since I know what it is going to say!! Last time, I was lucky {if you want to call it that} I only checked my blood for 3 days and my water broke!! Thinking back on it, THAT is probably what made my water break at 34 weeks!! It would take me about 20 to 30 minutes to prick my finger!! How do people do that?? My blood pressure goes up just thinking about it!!

Back to the happenin's around here - I've been sooo busy with paintings. I think I've done 42 paintings just for the holiday season this year!!! There are alot of folks getting a "small words something" this year for Christmas {and none of them from ME!!} I still have orders coming in. Just today, I had 4 more people email me and ask if it is too late for Christmas orders - AND no its not!! I'm still pumping at high speed and getting them out in about 3 days!! I'm actually shipping out 6 packages tomorrow!! Love it!! So, folks keep them coming!!

I'm also working on the new website!! I'm sooo excited for all to see - I'm actually embarrassed for you all to look at my current one. I've only had it for less than a year and it seems out dated!! The next one is going to be great!!!

Speaking of site - I'm also working up new samples that will be going on it!! Now that has been a challenge!! Since I've done soooo much & soooo many, I'm trying to narrow down the best color options with each of my favorite designs {and a couple of new ones} so that I can get "PRO-fessional" pictures taken - don't that sound like something?? So, if anyone has any ideas with my color di-alema, please let me know!

There has been so much going on that I wanted to explain just in case there are a few out there that's wondering what happened to me and why you have not heard from me - {Nat & Jenn, I swear you two are on my list to call!!} I'm still alive, somewhat drowning but I'm a really good swimmer!! And with this GINORMOUS belly - I probably float well too!! Talking about a body that has a memory!! I've always heard you show quicker with each pregnancy because the "body has memory" - well I wish my body remembered someone else's pregnancy, because I'm carrying one kidlet but this body looks like it is carrying two, again!! I haven't gained all that much weight, but I sure feel like I'm carrying around an extra 52 lbs!!!

Well, it is 1 in the morning and I feel the need for something sweet - hehe!! So, I will end my post here . . . I do hope everyone is having a great holiday season and truly enjoy all the happenins' around your house!! 'Tis the Season!!

And the winner is . . .

GRANTANDCLAIRESMOM!!! Email me your address and I will get these out to ya TODAY!!! I hope you love them. Maybe they can go on the tree you are planning for your daughter's room - how sweet!!

So, I had every intention of posting the next & final ornament {forever ago!} It actually is my newest {original} idea of the year!! See, I make an ornament for my closest friends every year and this is the ONE!! But it isn't working out for me!! It actually is an easy fix, one my husband must help me with - so give me until tomorrow and I will get it together . . . I'm really gettin' aggravated. But it is so cool AND totally worth the wait! I think all my receiving friends will totally LOVE IT!!

Again thanks for all the participation with the give-away!! A friend of mine is also doing a give-away as well - go jump in at Wendy's! She will love to hear from you!!

Follow-up to last post . . .

Let me just say - your comments are cracking me up!!! HA!! I just wanted to show you guys a picture from one I did several years back - in a traditional glass ball. If you notice - the feathers have a little more wiggle room - how cute is that one?! It would look better if it had a couple of those dang jingle bells!!!

OPERATION PROJECT TWO (and three quarters): another ornament!!!

Alright - are you guys ready for another ornament??? I actually only have one more after this one AND I'm going to try my "dangness" to get it on here tonight!! {Yeah - we'll see!} Okay - so this one is real simple . . .

supplies:

- clear ornaments {actually - I think the round traditional ones work best for this project, but in the picture to the right, I did use the round, flat one

- small tiny feather boa {you can actually find these (currently half off) at Hobby Lobby in the Christmas craft section} These are 1.99 and like I said half off - CHEAP!!! I'm smelling a bargain - you can use these things with so many crafts!!!

- ribbon

optional

- danglies/notions {translations: anything tiny and cute that can hang from the ribbons at the cap of the ornament!!} I used the tiny jingle bells {also half off in the Hobby Lobby Christmas craft section!!}

Literally - I made 6 of these in a 15 minute period {it was naptime for the kidlets - therefor, uninterrupted!!} I cut the boa into 6 inch long strips. . .


. . .and squished a strip in each ornament,. . .



. . .tied it off with ribbons added a couple of bells and boom . . . . you see what I got!!

About these 6 ornaments above - I'm going to give them away!!! But you must leave a comment of some sort to get the chance to own these!!! Now, I'm going to be really embarrassed if no one leaves a comment!!!! So, PA-LEEZ . . . . . . leave a comment!!!

I will randomly draw some one's name on Wednesday morning - so that gives you guys a couple of days to say what you are thinking, to come up with something witty or just to say "HI"!!! But to get in on a chance to own a "kim tate original" haha . . . .

. . . .thanks for the participation!!!

Oh - yeah, dont forget about flickr!! It's always great to see everybody's pictures!!

Too funny not to share . . .

okay, so I know that everyone has seen Monsters, Inc. Right?? The cartoon from Dreamworks?! Please tell me that everyone has - anywho . . . so you know the parts {there are several of them} when Mike Wazowski {Sulley's friend} - the little, one-eyed green guy - is on the cover of the magazines, but there is always the UPC symbol over his face/body?? Surely you all know what part I'm talking about - I'm just going to act like you do . . . well, he doesn't care that you can only see a blip of him - he is elated that he made the "cover of the magazine" - I mean really elated!!

I'm sure he was as excited as I am to see that Tara Frey has a corner of one of my paintings in a blog post!!! Who cares that it wasn't the full picture, who cares that she didn't say my name - I know exactly what it looks like and I know that I did it!!! I'm just so FREAKIN' EXCITED that she would post a tiny piece of the art on her blog!!! Woohoo!!! Thanks so much Tara . . . you made my day!!

OPERATION PROJECT TWO (and a half): more ornaments!

Okay, so I actually made this ornament several years ago for Lonnie. He loves a Christmas tree and when the tree goes up - it symbolizes the beginning of the season! This one is a breeze to make . . .

Supplies:

Soldering Iron - you can get this from Hobby Lobby or any other craft place. It is normally in the stained glass section. It is a little costly {it's not going to break the bank - I think it was $5.99 for the spool the last time I bought some} - But you can make bunches & bunches of ornaments out of one spool. This wire is thick, but very pliable and EASY to work with!! You can also spray paint it if you want another color other than silver.

Bead wire & beads - color is your choice!!

Pair of wire cutters - to clip the wire of course!

Ribbon - to loop through the top for hanging purposes!

Optional -

wire pliers or a pencil {something to bend the wire around to get fluid {or consistent} shapes!

The how-to
Start bending the wire in a desired shape - ANY shape - a circle to look like an ornament looks cool. Once the shape is how you want it - clip off the end from the spool. Next, string beads on the bead wire {alot of beads} - once you get a kazillion on - start wrapping the beaded wire around the soldering iron. Spread the beads out as you go - It will be impossible to do it once the wire is tightly wrapped around the iron. When you are at the end, clip the bead wire. Loop your ribbon through the top AND there you have it!!

Oh my, oh my . . .

Have you guys visited the flickr group thingy?? Oh my, there are so many new pictures and they are all so great!!! THAT makes me WANT to do some more tutorials!!! When I can get everyone in bed tonight, I will be back on to add some more "how-tos" - I can't thank those enough for posting your pictures.

I know that many more of you have done the crafts - AND - have posted the pictures on your blog!!!! I wish you would post your pictures on flickr!!! Again - I will tell ya - if you are having any probs with flickr - let me know - I will get you through them!!

Until all the kidlets' bedtime, get ready - I will post several more ornament ideas {easy ideas} for you all!!

For hattie . . .

I've got a new painting that I just completed!! First, let me show you the picture that was sent of the bedding . . . .

Okay, so now that you have seen that - check out the painting!!!

"hattie" is actually in hot pink - you can't really tell very well in the picture!! I really think it is going to be a great match. Tracy - you've got to let me know when you give it to your niece!!!!