Hello again, hello

Why is it that we know all the lyrics to Neil Diamond songs, but we really don't even like Neil Diamond songs? Ponder that, my friends.

My space here has been quiet, but my home, mind and hands have been busy and noisy. I've been sewing in tiny bits here and there to finish a princess dress, but keep stopping to make a curtain or a bat costume, or even refashion a poodle skirt on the fly for a good friend. Meanwhile, Irish Jig and I found these beauties while buying Halloween candy:

Suddenly the plan is now for a Purple Princess Fairy! Oh my.

Jazz has also found her crafting vibe and has helped me create a few new pieces of decor:

She was adamant that our pumpkin bowl have a mustache. We followed many an idea from many a website - mostly from Eighteen25. I wonder if they sell stock in their site? I'd buy and make a fortune on my own visits.

My parents arrive tomorrow to celebrate with Irish Jig and spoil the remaining children. I hope to con my dear mother into a visit to the newest quilt store, where I'll graciously allow her to spoil me a bit. I do love a great mother!

What crafting are you up to these days????

Oh Princess, you make the party

Irish Jig celebrates her birthday toward the end of October. She's been telling me for months that she wants her friends to come play at a costume party. That seemed easy enough to accomplish since they'll all be dressed in costumes on Halloween evening. We decided to invite her two little friends (she has more, but we keep parties for small people very small). After hitting the streets on Halloween evening, they'll stop by for a few games and some cake.

While browsing through the Spooktacular September archives over at eighteen25, I saw an awesome idea for sharing homemade treats with friends. The girls and I spent an afternoon baking chocolate chip cookies (the best ever recipe - will share soon) and prepping treat boxes.

The sweet label is from simplykierste.com (via the eighteen25 site).  We used electrical tape to adhere the labels to the boxes.  For the two families invited to Irish Jig's party, I included a small invitation inside the container.  The other boxes were prepped to share with good friends in the area.  The girls and I parked down the street or around the corner from a friend's home and then I let them run up to the house, place the container, knock or ring the doorbell, and RUN back to me.  It was hilarious to watch because adorable Jig doesn't run fast, so there was really no secret.  There was great fun, though and a wonderful memory made.

As for a certain little girl's costume this year...she'd requested a princess dress.  At first, she wanted to wear on of her hand-me-down dresses, which are all Disney characters.  I really didn't want her to go as Cinderella, etc. and spent a few weeks gently persuading/ planting my desires in her little brain.  Oh, please, all mama's do this when necessary.  Finally, she asked for a purple princess dress.  See it over there in the What's Going On block?  It's almost done and perfect for her birthday.


Today's song title from Matt Nathanson's Princess.

All that glitters is [not] gold

On a lark, I checked the clearance aisle at Walmart and saw a package of Styrofoam balls for about $3.  I decided that I would treat my Girl Scout troop to a little sparkle for their dance this evening.  The girls have been working hard on the Helping Hands Food Drive patch and the only activity left is to hold an actual food drive.   They decided not to just bring food to the next meeting, but to actually involve their peers.  They are hosting a very small dance party this evening for two other troops.  Each participant will donate a few needed food items and we'll supply great fun.  I can't wait to watch 7, 8, and 9 year-olds try to line dance.  Macarena, anyone?

Irish Jig and I soaked up some Vitamin D while sorting for clear sparkle pony beads.  Then she helped me string the balls and beads into a free form disco ball art piece.  That's the term we're using because an 8" diameter Styrofoam ball was $14 and too rich for this frugal troop leader.  But $3 and some glitter?  Oh, yeah.

After I painted the balls with diluted Tacky Glue, she poured silver glitter everywhere - hence the outdoor venue.

I show you this today because I really didn't think you'd want to see the current carnage that is my den.  In my introduction over on the We Are Family page, I mention my sickness for reorganizing cabinets.  I wasn't lying or joking.  I have emptied most of the den storage cabinets (we have a half wall of them) and am sorting, eliminating, and redistributing the contents.

Which leads me to my next quandary...what to do with VHS tapes?  We have a stack of tapes with no machine to play them.  Thoughts?  Comments?

PS - can I get a shout out for finally putting tabs on my header?

Today's post title from Smashmouth's All Star (Shrek)