Karmic Kommotion

Want to win a Silhouette Cameo Machine Prize Package!

2011-12-03T10:31:00.003-05:00

I know it has been forever since I posted anything to my neglected blog, but this was too good to not share! Head on over to MG Party Expressions and enter to win the Silhouette Cameo plus a bunch of other cool stuff to go with it! Tell them that I sent you!

http://www.partyblog.mygrafico.com/silhouette_giveaway/

Happy Holidays!!!

2009-12-07T15:29:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone! Wow... I can't believe it has been so long since I posted. Okay, actually I can! It has been a crazy year... moving... my daughter starting Kindergarten... helping out at school... potty training my son... my Etsy shop... the list just goes on and on.

I wanted to pop on quickly to let everyone know I have been working like crazy on new holiday card designs for my Etsy shop. I'd love it if you checked them out here: www.pixelperfectboutique.etsy.com -- just click on the HOLIDAY/SEASONAL CARDS section to see them all! Leave me some comments to let me know what you think!

My custom Jones Soda labels are currently being featured on Your Homebased Parties -- one of my favorite new websites! Leigh Anne has recently started a new party consultant business and let me tell you, she has some fabulous ideas! Be sure to check out her other awesome sites as well... Your Homebased Mom, Homebased Scrapbooker, and if you live in the Portland, Oregon area (boy, I sure wish I did) Homebased Portland for some great things to see, do and eat in the area!

Karyn :o)

My Etsy shop is being featured...

2009-05-29T13:25:00.003-04:00

...on this awesome birthday party blog -- Polka Dot Birthday!

Check it out here: http://www.polkadotbirthday.com/2009/05/printable-photo-birthday-invitations.html

This is a fantastic and highly addicting blog dedicated to all things "birthday!" There are party ideas, recipes, tutorials, party favors, clothing, etc. -- everything to help you plan the perfect birthday party! I love it!!! You need to check it out for sure!

As for me... I am finishing up all my packing today for the big move tomorrow. (Have I mentioned how much I HATE moving!?!?!) I hope everything goes smoothly... for my sanity's sake! I should have my computer back up and running by early next week, so I'll post an update then!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Karyn :o)

My Etsy Tteasury!

2009-05-24T13:59:00.002-04:00

Hi all! Sorry I've been MIA again! Lots going on -- moving next weekend so I am busy packing, packing, packing! My Etsy shop has been pretty busy lately too, so hooray for me! I just wanted to pop on and do a quickie post to share my latest Etsy treasury -- Beach Bliss!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=59749

I love how it turned out! Please check it out and click on all my selections & leave a comment too if you can! Thanks!!!

I hope you are all enjoying your holiday weekend! I'll be back soon to update everyone on what's been going on here lately!

Karyn :o)

Announcing YouCanQuiltThis.com!!!

2009-03-19T20:44:00.005-04:00

My favorite website, YCMT has announced the upcoming launch of their new sister website: YouCanQuiltThis! I am so excited about this new site! I love quilts, and as you know, I am still trying to find the time to get back to work on my quilting project! Having a site dedicated to quilting, in YCMT style, is like a dream come true! Go here and sign up for their newsletter and get some FREE ePatterns while you are at it. You can also sign up to WIN a Janome sewing machine here!!!

Hooray! My Responsibility Charts are Listed!!!

2009-03-12T14:29:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone! I am pleased to announce that I have my newest product -- Chore/Responsibility/Behavior charts -- listed in my Etsy shop! They are really great motivational tools for children, and so far I have gotten nothing but positive feedback about them!

You can see them here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22195028

Take a look and let me know what you think!

Karyn :o)

New Designs

2009-03-10T15:07:00.005-04:00

Hi all! Busy, busy, busy as usual, but I wanted to post a few of my newest designs!

There are 2 new Baby Shower Invitations -- one for a girl and one for a boy. I am very pleased with these new designs! I'm so happy to be designing things for Spring and Summer! The weather has been gorgeous here for about a week and we have been outside every day enjoying it! It has been such an inspiration! Anyway, here are the Baby Shower invites:

AHOY! It's a Boy...

Spring Blossoms for a Girl...

I have also designed this adorable Birthday party Invite for a tropical Luau themed party... I've always wanted to have a luau!!!

Let me know what you all think! Also, I worked on the prototype for my chore charts today and they came out great! I will post them soon to get your opinions!

Have a great day!

Karyn :o)

NEW - St. Patty's Day Design

2009-02-23T15:36:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to let all of you know I have a new St. Patrick's Day invitation design listed in my Etsy shop! It's a super cute design... perfect for your "Wearin' o' the green" parties!

Check it out here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21441898

Karyn :o)

Oooops!!!

2009-02-18T21:18:00.002-05:00

So here I am... apologizing again! My poor, neglected blog. Almost a month without a post. I am so embarrassed!!!

It had been a crazy month... wait, on second thought, it is just a crazy life! I didn't name my blog Karmic "Kommotion" for nothing! ;o) It is very fitting for me! I swear, I used to be such an organized, on-the-ball person... and then I had kids. It all went haywire shortly after that!

I have been a busy little bee. First off, I am still doing my Biggest Loser challenge. We are 6 weeks in and I have lost 14.5 lbs. so far, so... yeeeeaaaaa me!!! I have not been working on my quilt at all, but I have been following along to see how the process is going and how the others have been doing. I do plan to get to it one of these days, as well as my many other sewing projects.

Believe it or not, we were struck with the stomach virus AGAIN! And this time, I had it too. It lasted over a week (and it is still lingering a tiny bit) but we are all better for the most part now. The only ones not to get it were my daughter and my brother who was in town visiting from Texas. And where did we pick up this lovely little bug... Disney World!!! We took the kids there for one day to the Magic Kingdom for Jake's first trip. He had such a great time, we are planning another longer trip soon! Can't wait!!!

Other than all that, I have been busy designing. I have several new Birthday Invitation designs listed in my Etsy shop, with many, many more coming soon. I am also very excited because I have decided to branch out my business a little bit more and I will soon be selling coordinating treat bag toppers, address labels and more to offer my clients a whole coordinated party package! I am also starting to design chore charts and will have them listed shortly as well. I just wish I had more hours in the day so I could get it all done faster!

So, that's what's new with me! Sorry it took so long to post an update! Hope everyone is well!

Karyn :o)

History in the Making!

2009-01-20T14:43:00.004-05:00

What an exciting day, don't you agree!?! We now have a new President! Did any of you watch the inauguration this morning? I did and I have to admit that it got me all teary-eyed! This is an exciting, historical day for our country and hopefully the beginning of good times ahead!

Yesterday was also an exciting day for me as I sewed a new blanket for my son. Jake is OBSESSED with the movie CARS, and especially Lightning McQueen, so I made him a new snuggly blanket. I sewed it all by myself... without any help from my Mom and no pattern. I know those of you that are really good at sewing won't find it too impressive -- how hard can it be to sew two rectangular pieces of fabric together, right!!! Well for me, a sewing novice, it was a great accomplishment. And Jake LOVED it -- he was beaming ear to ear when I gave it to him and he said "I love it Mommy!" -- aaaaaawwwwww!!! He hasn't put it down since I gave it to him! Here he is showing it off...

It is a cute Cars fabric on one side and the other side is green (his, and my, favorite color) minky fabric. It came out really well and I am now even planning to make a cute girly one for a friend's daughter's 1st Birthday this weekend! It gives me an excellent excuse to go back to the fabric store tomorrow at any rate!

Of course now Kierstyn wants to know when she is getting one too! I explained to her that she is getting to be a big girl and she doesn't need a blankey, so I'll make her something else. I am thinking I will go ahead and try out those Easy Fit pajama pants that I had wanted to get done before Christmas, but never got to!

I still need to catch up on my quilt project and I had intended to get more done last night, but we were having terrible weather and under a tornado watch, so I didn't really feel like it. Maybe tonight!!!

Karyn :o)

Time Flies...

2009-01-17T23:32:00.002-05:00

Wow! I am so sorry for not updating sooner! It completely amazes me how fast the days go anymore. I have been super busy the last 2 weeks -- working on new designs for my Etsy shop (check out my link on the sidebar!) and several custom birthday invitations for clients, focusing on my diet, oh, er... I mean, my new healthy lifestyle (DIET is like a 4 letter word to me), dealing with the roller coaster of irrational behavior of the "terrible two's" as exhibited by my son Jake, planning a mini day trip to Disney in a few weeks, scoping out the after-Christmas clearance toy deals at Target, not to mention cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc., etc. etc.! Fun, fun, fun! Anyway, I apologize!

As for me and my resolutions, they are going pretty well. So far I have lost 8.5 lbs. since starting my Biggest Loser challenge on January 2nd - yay me! I am behind in my quilt project, but plan to buckle down and get caught up tomorrow (2-year old permitting, of course)! Luckily, it is a "No Stress" project, so I am not sweating it! I know I'll get there! I also have some other crafty projects in the works, so I'll share them when they are done.

I think I need to add another resolution -- to keep up with my blog better! I am really enjoying blogging and I look forward to keeping it up and having fun with it! I am also planning to have some fun contests in the future too, so watch for those! Who knew it would be so addictive?!?

So, I think that pretty much sums it up. I feel like I am forgetting something (other than the fact that today was my brother-in-law's birthday -- sorry Sean!) but I can't figure it out! Oh well, maybe it'll come to me later!

Type at'cha again soon!

Karyn :o)

So Far, So Good!

2009-01-03T22:32:00.002-05:00

So, it's Day 2 of my Biggest Loser Challenge and I am off to a good start! Both yesterday and today I ate really healthy, watched my portions and got in 30 minutes of cardio. I am proud of myself so far!!! One resolution off to a great start!

Resolution #2 -- as per my previous post, I mentioned that I wanted to keep sewing. Sooooo, I have decided to start a new project. A quilt!!! Pretty risque for a novice at sewing, eh?

Kim from www.youcanmakethis.com is looking for some sewing buddies to sew along with her on a simple quilt and I decided to go for it! You can read about it here: http://ycmt.wordpress.com/ -- I am kinda nervous but super excited at the same time. I am looking forward to seeing what I can do -- following Kim's instruction of course!!!

So stay tuned for all the exciting details and to see how I continue to do with my resolutions!

Karyn

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T13:49:00.002-05:00

I am so sorry that I have been MIA for the past couple of weeks! Unfortunately, my Grandfather passed away on Christmas morning and it made the holidays a bit more stressful than usual.

For those wondering, everyone loved all of my handmade gifts this year. Because of my Grandfather's ailing health the last few days before Christmas, I did not get everything accomplished that I had wanted to, but I made way more than I ever would have if I hadn't been part of the challenge, so I an thankful for that! Being part of the challenge has re-ignited my passion for crafting, so one of my resolutions for this year is to do more... especially sewing!

On to another resolution for this year... believe it or not, I am now taking part in a new challenge! A challenge to lose weight and get healthy for the new year... and the rest of my life. I have gained so much weight since having my kids and I have been so unhappy about it for such a long time! I am taking part in a "Biggest Loser" challenge over the next 12 weeks with a group of ladies from a Mommy forum that I am part of. My goal over the next 12 weeks is to lose 30 pounds. After the 12 weeks is over, I would like to lose about 16-18 more to get back to my old pre-baby, pre-husband weight! LOL!

I will post my progress here on my blog so that you all can help cheer me along! I can use all the encouragement I can get!!! I have never been this heavy before and never had so much weight to lose, but I know that I can do it. Being part of this new challenge will be fun, challenging and exciting!

Thanks for catching up with me! I hope you are all well and I wish you all a Happy, Healthy & Safe New Year!

Karyn

Cinnamon Ornaments Recipe

2008-12-18T21:33:00.002-05:00

As promised, here is the recipe to make the cinnamon ornaments:

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup applesauce
1 bottle (4.12 oz) ground Cinnamon (I used McCormick)
Supplies needed: cookie cutters, drinking straw & ribbon to hang ornaments

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.

2. Mix applesauce & cinnamon in a small bowl using hands until a smooth ball of dough is formed (this part is messy). Using 1/4 of the dough at a time, roll to approx. 1/3" to 1/4" thickness between 2 sheets of plastic wrap (I used wax paper instead). Peel off top sheet and cut dough using cookie cutters. Make a hole in the top using a straw. Place ornaments on baking sheet.

3. Bake for 2-1/2 hours. Cool ornaments on a wire rack.

4. Insert ribbon through holes and tie to hang.

Your house will smell wonderful while these are baking!

Have fun! This is a fun project to do with the kids!!!

Karyn :o)

The Final Count!

2008-12-18T14:49:00.012-05:00

So, the challenge ended on Monday night at midnight. Although I did not get everything done that I wanted to, I still did pretty good! Here is my total: 37 gifts for 9 people costing $28.10 total! Not too shabby!

It was so much fun going through my stash and coming up with ideas on how to use things I already owned in this challenge! It really got my creative juices flowing (not to mention how much stuff I found that I forgot I had)!

Here are a few of the final things that I made:

Two more different versions of my ribbon ornaments -- a stocking & a star.

I made a total of 13 ornaments in all. They were so much fun and I think they will make great decorations for any holiday! I plan to make more for Valentine's Day, Easter, July 4th, Halloween & Thanksgiving using cookie cutters for each holiday! The possibilities are endless!!!

I also made these cute Cinnamon ornaments -- I have been wanting to make these for years but never found the time. This year I finally did and let me tell you how wonderful they made the house smell! It was amazing! I'll post the recipe a little later!

This is a decoupaged frame that I made for my Mom from the kids (inspired by Kim's tween posts on the YCMT blog). I will take a photo next week when we are doing our Christmas baking and put it in before Christmas!

And here are some cute treat containers I made. Can you guess what they are made out of??? Crystal Light containers!!! Talk about being thrifty! All I did was use some leftover scrapbooking paper and embellishments and decoupaged the containers! I am going to make several of these to put my homemade chocolate pretzel rods and peanut brittle in. So cute!!!I knew there had to be something you could make with these containers! We drink a lot of Crystal Light so I always have them on hand! They are also great to put little presents in (markers or crayons, socks, puzzle pieces) -- great for stocking stuffers! Such a cute way to wrap your holiday gifts, don'tcha think!?!?

And last, but not least, I made this print in Photoshop & framed it for DH from the kids:

So, that is it for my challenge. I am not done crafting by any means. I have several more projects I want to do before Christmas, so I will most likely be working right up until Christmas Eve! LOL!

I want to try to make some pajama bottoms for the kids (and possibly myself & DH) and I have yet ANOTHER ornament idea that I saw on another website I frequent that I want to try. So, keep checking back! I'll post anything new I complete in case any of you are looking for some last minute ideas!

Karyn :o)

The Thrifty Fifty is Soooo Nifty!

2008-12-18T11:49:00.003-05:00

Well, the challenge officially ended on Monday the 15th at midnight! I will post more about all of my completed projects later today when the kiddos are napping, but I wanted to share some exciting news in the meantime!

Kim, my team leader and the owner of www.youcanmakethis.com, went to Salt Lake City yesterday morning to be on a local television program called "Good Things Utah" to talk a little about the challenge and to showcase a few of the projects that were made!

Here is the link so you can check it out! http://www.abc4.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=89908@video.ktvx.com

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far!

2008-12-09T23:48:00.008-05:00

I just wanted to share how my kids are also getting in on the handmade gift making spirit. My 5 year old daughter thinks it is cool that Mommy is making presents for people this year! She wanted to do her part too, so she made 21 foam snowman ornaments for all her teachers and classmates at her old school back in North Carolina! She is also making collages from old Christmas cards, as well as a foam gingerbread house! It is so cute to see her so excited to make gifts this year!

Even my son who is 2 is doing his part -- he is making pictures using stickers! Too cute!!!

Sew Cool!!!

2008-12-08T23:17:00.004-05:00

Okay, I am really tired and headed to bed, but I wanted to quickly post my latest completed project:

I did NOT do the applique on the shirt (I'm not anywhere near that skill level yet -- I bought it on eBay) but I did do the decoupage jeans to match. It may not look like much to those of you experienced in sewing, but for me it is a major accomplishment (remember I have very limited sewing experience and I have not touched my sewing machine in over 2 years)! I used my YCMT e-Book "Shaggy Mosaic Jeans" by Brassy Apple and the directions were great. I had sew much fun and I cannot wait to get started on another sewing project! It felt great to sew again!

Just had to share! Off to bed! Nighty-night!

Fruition!

2008-12-05T21:25:00.010-05:00

Guess what? I woke up this morning to two obnoxious, screaming children! You cannot imagine my excitement! Seriously!!!

"Excitement?" you ask in disbelief. Well, yes! If they are already up and screaming at each other, then they must be feeling better, right? RIGHT!!!

Plus, I woke up feeling not too shabby myself. So, you're still wondering why I was excited. Well, this means that there is a possibility -- some small glimmer of hope -- that today (yes, today) might be the day that I am actually able to finish up my work-in-progress. EXCITEMENT!!!

No more fevers, runny noses or overactive tummy's! Hooray! Today I finally got some projects done. So, for your viewing pleasure, here they are...

The decoupage photo frame I made for my sister:

The lollipop ornaments/package toppers that I plan to attach to every present:

The Christmas ornaments that I am making for my Mom, Sister & Friends (Notice my cool background in these shots and my artsy angles -- I told you before I love photography!):

See, I told you I'd get them done! Now do you understand my excitement?!?

More to come this weekend, so check back soon!

Karyn :o)

The "Dirtiest" Job of All!

2008-12-05T00:01:00.003-05:00

Okay... how many of you have ever seen that show on the Discovery channel... Dirty Jobs? I have only seen it a few times, but let me tell you, nothing I have seen on that show can compare to being a SAHM with 2 sick children!!!

Pig farmers, roadkill collectors, septic tank repair men -- WHATEVER!!! You want to see a dirty job? Come to my house this week mister and I'll show you what it is to have a dirty job! Let me see you clean up vomit out of the rug, wipe the neon green snotty noses of squirming, pitiful, whining children screaming that their noses are sore from all the wiping. Changing the dirty diapers of a sick 2 year old! Uh-huh... that's a dirty job! Then to top it all off, YOU catch the nasty bug from having been coughed on, sneezed on, vomited on -- yet you STILL have to take care of the little ones. There is no time off, no lunch break, no hope in sight whatsoever! So, someone call the Discovery Channel and send them my way! I'll show them dirty!

Okay... that was my rant for the day. Sorry, but I just needed to vent a little before I attempted to go to bed. Yes, the kids are still sick. Yes, I am now sick also. No, I have not gotten around to making any more Christmas presents. :o(

I am so sad. I had such high aspirations for this week. God-willing I will get my stuff done this weekend! Pray for me people!!!

Fevers, Runny Noses & Vomit... Oh My!!!

2008-12-03T20:24:00.007-05:00

Soooo... I had a big day planned for both yesterday & today -- lots of crafting right?!?!

WRONG!!!

Wouldn't you know that not one, but BOTH of my kids got sick yesterday! So, needless to say, I did not finish my picture frame or ornaments. Then last evening I had 2 rush orders for custom Christmas card designs (hooray for the orders though), so I was busy with those last night & this morning. They are done and my customers are happy, so that is one thing I have going for me at least!

None of us got much sleep last night! The kids were up numerous times coughing, crying, whining -- it was miserable! I am hoping that we all get some sleep tonight somehow & that they are a bit better tomorrow so that I can get some more stuff done! Seriously!!! There are less than 2 weeks to go!!!

The silver lining is that I did manage to get the Christmas centerpiece done for my Mom yesterday! I had to post my pics before I went to bed tonight! So, without any further ado, here it is...

Yippee! I FINALLY posted a photo of something I made!

Hopefully, if the crafting Gods are looking out for me, my kids will feel better tomorrow & I will be able to get some more projects done & photos posted! Fingers crossed! Wish me luck!!!

December Already!?!?!?!

2008-12-01T22:45:00.003-05:00

How did it happen so fast? I swear it comes faster and faster each year!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I had a very nice, extra long holiday weekend.

Did I eat a TON of turkey? YES!

Did I have lots of fun with my family? YES!

Am I ready to get back to crafting for the challenge? YES!

I feel like I have fallen so far behind over the past week! I have lots to get done in the next 2 weeks and it is definitely going to be a challenge! I have such a limited amount of time each day to get in any craft time, so I am starting to feel the crunch! BUT... I know I will get it all done somehow!

Tomorrow I plan to wrap up the projects that I started last week -- the photo frame for my sister & the ornaments I am making. Then later this week I plan to break out the sewing machine and attempt (remember... it has been like 2 years since I have sewn ANYTHING) to sew a new taggie blanket for my son & a pair of decoupage jeans for my daughter.

Oh yes, and I am making a new holiday centerpiece for my mother's dining room table, as per her request, so it is really not a Christmas present, but it is for Christmas decorating, so it still counts!

Soooo... I think that about sums it all up! I should FINALLY have photos to post tomorrow. Hooray!!! With this all said, I guess I should get to bed and get some sleep for my busy week ahead!

Good Night!!!

Karyn

Gobble til' You Wobble!

2008-11-26T16:26:00.002-05:00

Hey all! I didn't get much done the past few days thanks to my son's incoming 2-yr molars! OUCH! He has been one cranky boy and desperately in need of lots of TLC from Mommy!!!

I am really busy with all the prep for Thanksgiving, and I will have company all weekend, so no crafting for a few days.

I just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Turkey Day! Have fun stuffing your faces, watching football, putting up the Christmas tree and whatever else you may be doing this weekend! I know I will!!!

Karyn :o)

Not-so Manic Monday!

2008-11-24T23:37:00.002-05:00

Yippee, I had a productive day today -- FINALLY!

I started on the photo frame I am making for my sister (whom had better NOT be reading this). I realized I was missing one item I needed to put it all together (keep in mind that I am a natural Blonde), so I am planning a field trip to Michael's in the morning (woo-hoo! ...as if I really NEED an excuse to go to Michael's). I should have it done tomorrow & will post a photo then!

I also started my ornaments/package toppers & I came up with another idea for some different ones. After my trip to Michael's tomorrow, I should be able to get them completed & I will also post those photos! I am so excited to get a few projects done!

I am planning on dusting off the sewing machine and trying to do the decoupage look on a pair of my daughter's jeans this weekend (time permitting, of course)! Since I picked the "Shaggy Mosaic Jeans" e-book for my freebie from YCMT, I thought I'd give it a try. I bought a cute custom Moda S'mores (looooove that fabric) shirt on E-bay, so I thought I'd make some matching jeans since I already have the fabric in my stash. I am really excited to give it a try! I may also sew my son a taggie blanket to replace the one I made 2 years ago (the last time I sewed anything - AAACK!) that we somehow lost on vacation earlier this year. :o(

Off Topic -- Today we had such a gorgeous sky & sunset! I spent the last couple of hours outside with the kids playing while I took photos of the sky & trees. Yes, photography is another one of my many hobbies! I am even thinking of listing some of my photos in my Etsy shop soon! We'll see!!! After spending the day crafting & taking photos, I feel so relaxed and happy! Such a great feeling!!

Unproductive Day!

2008-11-23T23:54:00.002-05:00

Well, my day did not go as planned today! Both the kids were up numerous times during the night so I got very little sleep. When I did finally get up, I had a killer headache that lasted all day. Then, I got unexpected company... so needless to say, I got NOTHING done today!

I was able to give my projects some thought today though, so hopefully I will be able to get started this week. It will be tough with Thanksgiving a few days away, but I should be able to squeeze out a few hours to get down to business (fingers crossed)! I am going to start on my sister's present first since I already have all my materials on hand. I'll be sure to post photos once I get it done!

I also spent the first bit of my $50 budget yesterday when I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics. I have an idea for some cute little ornaments and/or gift toppers and it only cost me $1.00 -- actually less because I did use a coupon (but I have to figure out the exact amount because I did buy other items that are not being used for the challenge). I hope to make my first one tomorrow (ooops -- today -- I just looked at the time) while the kiddos are napping!

Well, I need to hit the sack. Hopefully I will have lots of exciting crafting news & photos to share tomorrow (ooops again, I mean later)! Must go to sleep now! YAWN!!!! Nightey-night!

To Blog or Not to Blog...

2008-11-22T23:08:00.007-05:00

Sooooo... here I am FINALLY!

I have often thought about starting a blog but I just wasn't sure if I should or not.

What would I say?

Who would care??

Where would I find that extra time in my already stretched waaaaay too thin 24 hour day???

And then I entered this fun contest sponsored by one of my favorite craft websites http://www.youcanmakethis.com/ -- and low and behold I was one of the chosen 50! "50 what?" you may ask... so I'll tell you! There is this great little competition going on to see who can make (yes, MAKE) their Christmas gifts for under $50. It is called "Thrifty for Under Fifty". I love a good challenge and coincidentally, I ONLY have about $50 left to spend on Christmas this year so it's a win, win situation for me!

Luckily I already have a HUGE stash of crafts (see Greg, I told you I would use all these fabrics & craft materials that I have been collecting that I just HAD to have) and I was really in the mood to make some Christmas presents this year.

Anyway, back to the reason I started this blog. This is how my team, and anyone else who cares, can follow my progress during the challenge. I will post photos of my progress and keep everyone updated on what I am making and how much moola I am spending in the process. Hopefully, very little since I already have so much on hand. And then, not only will those on my Christmas list get some great gifts handmade with love by moi, but lucky moi will hopefully have that $50 left over to go shopping (most likely at a craft store) when everything is said and done! Woo-hoo!!! Plus, I may even win $100 in the end -- even more spending money!!!

So, stay tuned to see what happens! Be sure to click on the link to the YCMT blog to read updates on what is going on with the contest. You may even win prizes just for following along! How cool is that!?!?!?!