Hmm...this may be a little impulsive, but....

I'm moving. My blog. Again.

I know, I know. It's a big pain to have to re-follow, update subscriptions, and so on. But, I want to move things. My other blog is soooo much easier to use. And it offers features blogger doesn't.

But, moving always makes things complicated.

This will be the last time. I promise! I just--I just have to.

So, if you are subscribed to my blog, please update your subscription. If you are following me through Networked Blogs or Google, please update that, too. My new address is at:

Fisheyes and Magpies

I promise, this is for the best.

Oooh, I can't wait to share!

My major crafty item I made for, er--my swap friend--is done! Finished! Brought to fruition! Complete! I just wish I could share it. It is by far, one of my favorite things I have made. I love it's simplicity! It's style! I want to keep it!

But I can't. It wouldn't be right.

I haven't had a chance to take photos yet. I will. And I'll post them--after she receives it.

The Little Mermaid art quilt is 10% done...meaning, I have cut out my fabric pieces. I know, I know. I should be further along. I've been beating around this bush for months. (I started planning in June.) I hope this means it'll be amazing. More realistically, it just means I'm lazy.

As always, I've been spending my time cleaning. Instead of creating. I got a new toy (a steam mop and hand held steam spray bottle), and I've been spending my time sanitizing random things. (I cleaned off the top of my fridge!) Ah, the joys of domesticity...

I'm such a sucker for cleaning tools/accessories/etc. I was this close to buying a Sham-wow. ("You'll be saying 'wow' everytime.") Luckily, my sister was suckered into that one, and I was able to see it "work" first hand. (It didn't.) They know how to get you, though. They play on the housewife's deep desire to someday have everything done. Reality is, it's never done. The house--the world, really--is forever changing. You can't freeze time, and you can't clean a house once and never have to do it again. This is life.

Ah, I'm just rambling, now. I'm tired, itchy (I had an allergic reaction to something. On my face.), and I have had the same recurring headache for the last few days.

I have to go to bed. Blah.

~christina

Menu Monday-September 14

I've been following a few blogs that participate in Menu Planning Monday. I've been planning my menus for a few years now, so I thought I would toss my menu into the mix! This is what the crew is eating the next few days:

Monday

Leftovers

Tuesday

Tilapia, spinach, rice

Wednesday

Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes

Thursday

Shrimp Pasta

Friday

Chicken, Half/half mashed potatoes (half potato, half steamed cauliflower),

Corn

Saturday

Squash Soup w/grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches

Sunday

Spaghetti w/Meatballs

Oatmeal for breakfast, most days. Cereal for the kids. Saturday-eggs and bacon. Sunday, pancakes.

Check out more Menu Planning Mondays here.

Spooktackular September

Every year I wait until the last minute to plan for Halloween--then throw a few things together with half-assed effort. It isn't as if the holiday means nothing to me. I love Autumn, and the festivities it brings.

Maybe this stems from my childhood. Every September, my mom would groan and throw her hands up, as store displays of Halloween decorations and costumes started to appear. "They start earlier and earlier every year," she would say, complaining about the merchandising. (She would also say this the beginning of November, when Halloween goodies were replaced with tinsel and jingle bells.)

I don't know what her beef was with holiday store displays.

So, I never think to start planning for Halloween in September--until this year. Searches and sales on Halloween items are up on Etsy, showing most shoppers are planning now. They aren't like me, waiting for the last minute to throw up some fake cobwebs and plastic skeletons. (Incidentally, I have the cobwebs taken care of already. My front door is framed with them. Real ones.)

Yada, yada, blah blah blah--the point is this: I'm working on a few Halloween type things. For instance, I just listed the ornament pictured above. So, if you are doing your Halloween shopping early....

Mermaids, Workshops, and Bone-heads.

I am still tinkering away at the Mermaid art quilt. One more step down. I have traced all the different elements onto iron-on adhesive. (For added durability--and to prevent my edges from unraveling!) I'd been in my workshop right now, except that there are two strangers up there, fixing my water heater.

But....

Did you catch that? I'd be up in my workshop? I CLEANED IT!!!!!! It is a fully functional studio now!!! There is only one little problem left, though, which needs to be addressed. Well, it's in a bonus room above the garage. (That's not the problem.) It is in a room that is hot in the summer, cold in the winter. There is a duct going into the room, but either it is blocked, or just not enough--whatever the case may be, the room is not climate controlled. So, I need to get a fan to keep it cool during the afternoons (when the sun is BLARING), and I'll just have to bundle up during the winter. At any rate, even as I marvel at it's awesomeness, I know in a few months it will no longer be mine, and I'll have to find a new place to house my stockpile of supplies. (We're renting the house we are in, and plan on buying a new house in the spring.) It will all work out though, and for now, I will enjoy what I have!....and I'll post pictures next week. For obvious reasons (the men fixing the water heater) I can't take pictures now.

I do have other photos, though. Since Halloween is at the end of next month, and because I found it as I was straightening my things, I am listing this funky quilt I made a while back. It is available for sale at my shop, for anyone who is interested. (I'll knock off 10% if you buy it and say you saw it here! But, shh, don't tell anyone else!)

(Click for the listing!)

I've Got a Secret...,

...project!

I'm participating in a swap over at the North Georgia Street Team (heard of them? If not, I must not be talking enough about 'em). I got my secret swap partner, and though she may not read my blog--or know that I exist--I am doing something very special for her, indeed! I will post pictures after I know that she has received it, but for now, I can only tell you the theme is "comfort."

And, of course, since I'll be sending out a package, I'll be receiving one, too. Oh, and all the ladies involved are SOOOO talented! I am dying of anticipation!

I still haven't technically started on my challenge item for this month. I'm doing the Siren of the Sea, which I will be calling "The Little Mermaid"--the challenge theme is "fairytales"--I had to make her bigger, which I did, and now I need to start cutting out pieces. This will happen SOON.

I'm not sure if I'm going to submit her, though. Fairytales...so many cool things I can do with a theme like that. If I have time, I might make an alternate item.

So, yep. No pictures just yet. My current project is a secret. My next project, not really started. Who knows about the third. Things will start appearing, though. I need to get into a rhythm, and once that happens--BAM!! A multitude of crafty goodness.

Until then...

Rancor Likes my Brooch

See?

Candy Challenge over at the North Georgia Etsy Team!

It's that time of the month again...

...time for the North Georgia Street Team Challenge! (Try saying that five times fast.)

This month's them is Candy! (CandycandyCANDY!!) I have entered my "Sweet Tote" into this months challenge. I encourage you to check it out. You don't have to vote for me (I'm #7!) but definitely check it out! Team NorGA (our nickname) is filled with talented artisans. You won't be sorry!

Oh, and I forgot the best part...if you vote, you will be entered into a drawing. Two lucky people will walk away with a grab bag of goodies made by our crafters.