Where do I start?

I am so far behind.....I think I'm winning! Have you ever heard this? You let one thing go, and suddenly you have this giant pile of things you have not addressed. I want to say it has been crazy busy here, emphasis on the "crazy" part. My eldest is getting married and suddenly this sweet girl I knew has become the wedding crazy train! Wedding this, and wedding that, then why not buy a house and decide to move in one week also. While painting rooms (her father) and stripping wallpaper(me), packing and unpacking. Stop to go look at flowers (all day Wed and Fri), stop to try on dresses (all day Sat). To top it off I somehow became the designated chauffeur? It took me less than a week to start hating the word "wedding". You see she just got engaged the end of August and before we could draw our breath they decided on March, 2010, yeah 6 months from now. Which is fine if you plan on eloping, but a pain for wedding planning. Then throw in everyone involved and all the different stuff going on in my life, and well, I am lucky if I remember my name (although I sometimes would like to forget it and where I live). My youngest is in College and working now part time, our son John is also moving into his own place. My husband had to pick up Johns car last Friday, and put a new radiator in it for him, since he is working crazy hours and cannot make time to do it. This is in between been running to our daughters to paint on the weekends. Then we can start helping John paint the new place he is renting, and move him in. I started a sewing class on Thursdays (Steph and I had planned on doing this before the big wedding plans) and I am behind there too. I need to clean MY house and get painting and windows done here, but my life is not my own right now. Of course it was at this time I was signed up for 4 Halloween swaps, the Alice swap, the fan swap. Then my brother passed away last month, and we have been cleaning up and taking care of that. Yesterday was his 54th birthday and my sister and I spent it picking out his headstone. Which has been difficult for us to say the least. I feel bad for my sister too, because her daughter is getting married in 2011. Perhaps seeing her Aunt lose her mind will help her to decide to elope? So for those of you so patiently waiting for me to post I apologize. I did not mean to neglect or ignore. Some I think I did email or mention but to be honest I just cannot remember so I will start here...... Lori Anderson from Pretty Things sent me this fabulous charm pendant. I had made my charms for the swap and she asked about them. I sent her one and look at what she sent me. She put it together and it is so pretty. I am so flattered and thrilled to have some of her work. Again Thank You Lori.... Then there was Sweet Sweet Renee of The Chateau de Remnants. She sent me this wonderful "Pick-me-up" package after my brother passed. I love the hankie, all the little bits and the lovely card. (I had to put some things in the little bag so I could re-create the package for the photo). You were so kind to send me this. I Thank You! To Joy Northrup or Joy to the Blog, for the lovely card and wonderful ATC she sent when I guess correctly on her blog. She had a piercing on the little bump in her ear . Joy has been doing a lot of "extra" work in movies around Michigan. I am going to be looking for her now! Joy Thank you for the lovely ATC. (I kept the card and envie, it was very nice,and the ATC has been on my mobile over my computer) Then I have to mention that I have received 3 of my tags so far from Terri's (Terri's Blooming Ideas) Alice Swap. The Red Queen is mine, the Sassy Cheshire Cat is from Terri (ps thanks for adding the extra bling I requested, you spoil me), the Caterpillar is from Becky Loyall (Whimsical Musings), and last but not least is the Queen of Hearts from Rebecca Allinson (Sugar and Spice Confections). FINALLY! Today I received more "Good Stuff", My 13 Days of Halloween exchange arrived today!!!!! All these goodies are for ME!!!!! I can't open them until October 19th, then one a day until the big day HALLOWEEN!!!!! From my swap partner Renee of The Chateau of Remnants. It will be hard... but I can do it. Of course I will have to keep an eye on Bailey, my Yorkie, he loves to open presents, yeah he might do something bad, yeah I don't know about him, he is sneaky ... I will have to watch him. (Hey that's my story and I am sticking to it). So this catches me up for now. I want to say a big thank you, I have been very fortunate to have met some great people through this blog, and through theirs. Please bare with me for the next few months. You may want to start looking for me on the 11:00 news....... I'll be the crazy one throwing cupcakes from the top of the church, or perhaps doing a Thelma minus Louise in the wedding limo. Oh and no, I did not forget......Steven (drum roll here) pick a name out of the hat for the winner of my Blog-a-versary please.......... That would be "Nancy VanHoose". Yep Nancy I will be putting together some alterable goodies for you. Thanks to all my commenter's, to those who chose to follow (please stick around) I appreciate your comments and especially your company.

Really? Has it Been Two Years Already???

Oh My Goodness! I almost did it again. I almost let this month pass without celebrating my two year "Blog-aversary". I never did celebrate my one year did I? No, I missed it. What to do, what to do....? I thought a giveaway might be nice, but what to give? Hmmmm, are you up for a surprise? How about a grab bag of arsty supply goodies(bits and pieces for altered art), a painting (from my Artfire store), or some great flea market find(some linens, some buttons, maybe a collectible)? Well I'll tell you what, why not post a comment for a chance to win, and mention which of these ideas you would like. If you are a follower you get two shots at a chance. No you don't have to share this giveaway info on your blog, but I hope you will. I won't make you follow me on twitter, face-book, or rub your tummy while patting your head, after all I don't want this be a job, just a fun chance to win.I will draw a winning name on September 30th, and post the winner and the "prize" then.

Sinister and Sweet Swap Goodies!!!!

Dear Shannon (supermergentroidgal) was my partner for the Year of Color, Sinister and Sweet Swap. We had to cover five areas, Something Sinister (a lovely file box with the neatest raven decoration in it!), Something crafted (the lovely little decoupaged tray!), Something thrifted (Do you see the lovely vintage bling, music paper, and trim?), Something for the home (the very cool candle), and something sweet!(see my name spelled out with pretty bling and all the goodies in the little pail? Oh and did I mention the "dove" milk chocolates? No? that's because I am not sharing those)

Just behold my bounty of Halloween inspired loveliness!

Let's not forget to mention all the neat black and white ribbon wrapping all these goodies! I will be recycling these!

Shannon did a wonderful job, everything was a delight. Love these flowers and leaves.

This has to be my favorite. I love birds (ravens!) and this is so cool I think I may leave it up all year!

Thank You Shannon!!!! I am sorry I took so long to post. I have been running about with my daughter moving, helping her with her wedding things, my son moving, and all the swaps I had intended to post Monday. I am up late tonight because I just could not make you wait any longer. I will take some better photos for the flickr group.

Goodnight Sweet Prince....

I have just read that Sheldon has lost his battle with cancer last Friday. I had not checked my friend Renee's blog (Circling My Head) since last Wed. I knew his time was close, yet I had hoped and prayed for a miracle. I had also prayed for peace and the end of his suffering. Renee said Sheldon was a Warrior, he was. Such bravery from one so young shames me, but also inspires me. As the sun goes down on one precious life I am left with hope and a sense that he is at peace and now can take his place among God's most beloved Angels. God Bless you Renee, Jacquie, and your family. May Sheldon's love give you strength now in this hour of sorrow.

Please join me in sending condolences to Renee and her family. Jacquie still faces a long hard battle with cancer, and both she and Renee can use our prayers and love at this time.

Tags for Terri's Alice Swap, done!

My good friend Terri (Terri's Blooming Ideas) decided to have an "Alice in Wonderland Tag Swap" She was inspired by a tag swap started by Le-Vintage. She put the call out for ten players, oh boy did it filled up fast. She called me and asked "So what character would you like Deb?". Of course I said "The Red Queen". Thinking of course of the Queen of Hearts. It was only later after talking to Terri again I realize she had two people signed up for the Queen. How could this be? Well silly me, I just assumed there was only one "Red Queen" the Queen of Hearts, not so. As many know there is only one Red Queen, a Chess piece in "Through the Looking Glass". Well I had to shift gears in thinking. Terri was gracious enough to offer to let me pick another character, but I was determined to work it out. There aren't many good pictures of the Red Queen, most are of the Queen of Hearts. Tim Burton's Queen is a blend of the two characters. I looked, searched and then finally one day I stumbled on a drawing/painting by the Character Designer, Michael Kutsche. Unlike the Queen of Hearts in the first Alice which was a playing card who ran about saying "Off with her head", the Red Queen is more reserved, prudish and a bit of a snob. True, like the Queen of Hearts, she has a bit of a temper but she prefers to change the subject or make a more dismissive remark. She was trying to teach Alice how to be a Queen. So there it was my Red Queen. I had to photoshop her and then find a background. I used a computer wallpaper, altered it a bit and there it was. Since Terri had allowed another swapper to make her tag in the shape of a heart (It was to be Rebbecca, the Queen of Hearts Tag) I thought why not make one in the shape of a Chess piece? I researched the book and found the perfect quote for her too! It was from a conversation between Alice, The White Queen and The red Queen. The Red Queen asks Alice for the French translation for "Fiddle-dee-dee" When Alice tells her she does not know, since it is not English the Red Queen mocks her. She says to the Red Queen 'I'll make a bargain with you, if you can tell me what language it is I will translate it to French". To which the Red Queen Replies 'Queens Never Bargain!" Yes! Queens never bargain, that's going to be my new motto. I love the image of this Queen who looks clearly annoyed and very stern. It was fun but a challenge to make the tag work. Using red Velvet ribbon, sequins, gold papers, rhinestones, vintage red rose foil scrap, glitter and such I think they really reflect the Red Queen in all her magisterial authority. Here is a better picture of them, and a glimpse of the back. I plan to mail them out as soon I hear that others are doing so. A lot of work went into these tags and being a little gun-shy lately. I just want to know that I can expect a tag in return. I decorated the backs too! Nice red roses on paper. You can see her rhinestone earrings quite clearly in this photo. I was lucky enough to have stumbled on the gold tassels at the store in the clearance isle some time ago. They had a little gold bell and a pearl on them. Now that I have wet your appetite, I want you to know I worked on these tags with Terri yesterday and got to see her Cheshire Cat Tags, they are over-the-top crazy good! Of course Terri never does anything halfway. Her work is always lovely and so detailed. If the rest of the tags are even half as good this is going to one terrific swap! I think there will be a lot of people sorry they did not get in on this one!

Wicked Swap Received!!!!!

Yes! the first of the four swaps have been delivered and received by my swap partner. My partner for the "Wicked Swap was Kristen Thomas. Today she e-mailed me that it arrived. Thanks to the tracking I had on the package I knew she had received it, but am always so appreciative of hearing from the recipient. After all almost as fun as receiving a package is knowing the person loved what you sent. Thanks Kristen for being such a responsive partner. Now I wait anxiously for mine! I don't know if I can handle the suspense!

I want to thank and acknowledge Kirsti for the great images. Using a little little photo shop I was able to make this "Witches Journal" for Kristen. Here she can pencil in her most diabolical recipes and decadent spells for yummy things.

Some of the fabulous frightful goodies I sent. A decorated party cup full of candy, two spooky pencils to go with the notebook, a Witches sign, a picture of a found relative (who happens to be from Salem), a Boo Banner with lovely day of the dead details, a potion bottle, some tags, a metal sign (good witch or bad?), a flocked spider, a glittered star, two vintage inspired chenille Halloween figures, and what you do not see is the large glittered skull with the witch fairy on it. Oh and did I mention more candy? That too.

Not the best photos, but I was working on the four swaps at once, and did not think to take a lot of individual swap photos. So you may be able to see all later as Kristen has said she will post the photos she takes. This was the first of the four to safely arrive. Although it will not be the last, you won't see the others until some time in October. The next to arrive and be opened should be the Sinister and Sweet. I think she can open that right away, but we will have to wait on the 13 Days and the Trick or Treat Swap!

Repost : Tuesday Vent, Flakers!

I feel the need to repeat, in light of a recent swap.....

I borrowed the above picture when surfing flickr yesterday. I was trying to get my mind to a "good" place. She looks like she is going a little crazy, lost, and trying to figure out what to do next like me. You see I was a little bit miffed over a matter that seems to happen at one point or another to those of us trusting enough to join swaps. For the most part my participation has been positive. Sure I have had the occasional "straggler" here and there. The person for whom deadlines are just a sort of general"guideline" that does not necessarily apply to them. You have to nudge, beg, threaten them to get things on their way. They act surprised when you comment or ask them whats taking so long. One of the swaps I was recently in, a tag swap, Marie Antoinette to be specific, is still waiting on people. I wonder if some of these participants who make everyone wait on them suffer from what my mother used to say "Their eyes being bigger than their stomach". They sign up for numerous swaps, envisioning that they will pump out one after another, and be able to fulfill all these commitments. Some may be able to do it, some will start off with a lot of steam then peter out leaving some waiting for months, or never completing them. I know I have mentioned names on previous posts, and yes, there are still people waiting for tags, a good two month past the close of the swap! Shameful really. This is bad enough, these stragglers as I call them (and no you do not get to blame the post office, your life, the dog, the truth is you are just being rude and inconsiderate). When you "promise" and that is what this is, a "promise" that you agreed to, because the truth is no one made you sign up, you should act like a responsible adult and follow thru. So many abuse the kindness, and patience of others. It is silly really these "swappers" are supposed to be adults. If their children, Employer or a Politician acted like this they would be irritated and upset. So why is it they feel they can do this to other people? The Hostess is not your "Mother" they should not have to spend countless emails and time trying to coax you to do what you promised. I am appalled when I find out that people are still waiting on these people, these stragglers, shame, shame, shame. I hate having to "nag, cajole, and beg" someone to get my swap, but often there is little recourse. If I don't they will just stall or worse, "FLAKE". What can I say about Flaker's that does not make me want to wretch? Seriously, it is like stealing but asking and saying "please" first. Yes I said STEALING, because taking something with no thought, or real intention of paying for it, (and doing your part is the payment), is STEALING! If I say I will give you a candy bar for a dollar, and you take the candy, eat it and never give me the dollar, you have stolen the candy plain and simple. If you say I will make you oh say, a fan, in exchange for one you make, and I do not make one for you as promised and take the one you made me it is the same thing. What if you say you did the work and it was lost in the mail? Does that excuse you ? Hmmm did saying the dog ate your homework work in school? No, it didn't? Then it doesn't work here either. More offensive is when a Swap Partner decides not to communicate. Sure things happen, stuff gets lost in the mail, delivered to the wrong place, etc. but how is your partner to know when there is no communication? Of course you can always contact the Hostess of the swap, putting them in the middle, but really is this their responsibility? Personally I would be embarrassed if someone had to involve the hostess because I was not adult enough to address the matter, and work out a solution myself. Yet so many times I hear of people who do this. Take the item then bail. Leaving you empty handed and the Hostess with a bad taste for ever hosting a swap again. This has happened to me very recently, and frankly I felt like I wanted to start or find a website where these people can be exposed and stopped. As luck would have it I think I have. So ladies if you, like myself have been afraid to sign up for a swap because you have been burned you may wish to join this group:

http://swap-bot.com/

I also would suggest this site if you are thinking of hosting a swap since they only allow members to participate. They keep a close eye out for flakers. The rules are pretty generous with one exception "NO FLAKING" if you ever do, (I think it also applies to communication and timely mailing), you are banned! If I had any advice for future swappers it would be to trust your gut feelings. I had confided to a friend early in the swap that I had reservations about my partner, with regards to this swap in question, and told her about the total lack of communication, and seeming carelessness of the person I was paired with. I even thought of holding onto my work until I received hers, but I wanted to fulfill my part of the swap and not be late in mailing it out. Now I wish I had trusted my gut. The lady has my work and I have nothing. She has not returned one email. The hostess even contacted her and requested a solution, still nothing. Now it could be that this person will try to make this right, perhaps she will even make good, but the total lack of communication indicates otherwise. So I chalk this one up to a learning experience. Although I have to tell you if I see her name anywhere on a swap list that I would consider I will have no qualms in letting the hostess know. Alright I just had to let that out. Please respect that these are my opinions, mine alone. Although I know that others have had these problems too hence the Swap-Bot and Yahoo groups (there is a Yahoo group too!).