Halloween Weekend

With Halloween on a Sunday + many days school free before and after + Scott moving the remains of the old office all weekend, I heeded his recommendation to take the kids to Utah. Saturday night the kids put on their costumes and ran around happy as clams eating their huge candy stash from our ward trunk or treat the night before. After all the kids were in bed, my Mom, Julia and I slipped out and went to "Dracula". It was done as an old Orson Wells Radio show with about 10 total participants all in 40's attire reading from dimly lit stands. A few were in the background playing the piano, tapping shoes on the table for 'walking' sounds, wiggling panels of sheet metal for thunder, etc.... it was awesome. It was a small, damp room up at the Castle theater so we all sat there, huddled together... shivering from the chill... or was it the eveeel vampire HIMSELF?
Luckily the rain did not extinguish the annual reign of ghost flying around my house. They were at it again- flying across the yard to the neighbors, across the street and back...the kids loved it.
On Sunday morning I thought it would be fun to make pumpkin pancakes so I used apple slices. YUM. Sunday night was our big family celebration. We ate tasty food and played Just Dance.
Oh Yes.
Just Dance.
This is a new phenomenon around our house and I brought it with me to spread to my family. WE LOVE IT. The music is awesome, the dance moves are sweet, and the laughs are the best. If you haven't played this yet, I really recommend it. And then I challenge you to Rasputin (Click on it. Seriously.) Yes, we did look scary most of the time. Disco kicks and the running man do not come easy to some, but we had a frightfully good time nonetheless!
Besides, what could be more scary than these foot long Twizzlers I found!?

Chain Gang

I've been wondering how to efficiently display/store my necklaces and this is the first idea I've come across that I like. Awesome, no?
But for $50 I think I can make one with some dime store animals meself. AND... what if it was all painted white, hm?

Pre-lloween

The week of Halloween was really fun. We had a lot going on so I will start with the first half.
I am all for buying costumes if A) they see one they love and B) if it's worth the price (which it usually is). So Sadie's, I bought. Only for some reason most of the Sleeping Beauty princess dresses were all knee length or overpriced, so I bought the less expens. one and added a fluffy skirt below. Done. Luke and Elliet, however... were harder. Luke wanted to be a Minion from 'Despicable Me' so... yeah. I had to make that one. And Elliet saw a Peacock costume for over $100! in a kids magazine. There is no way I was paying that. So we made that one, too. The talent was happy and that's what is important, no?
The great Mr. Shenkberger lobbied hard to get the trunk or treat back this school year with success. I was so happy! This is a great event and the kids love it. They have a costume parade and go from car to car (parent volunteers), collect candy and end with a huge group Monster Mash dance. I am glad he keeps Halloween fun at school. I have such a dorky grin on my face watching all those kids in costumes dancing to that. Halloween is the BEST.
I decided to go for a monster truck this year using foam cushion for big teeth and had a gaping red mouth complete with a child skeleton. I put a treat in his rotted teeth, too and told all the kids that may happen to them if they get too close. The best part was I found some awful belching mp3 audio files and made a playlist of those so the car would sporaticaly burp. Tell me what kids wouldn't love that?!
We also shared this with our ward trunk or treat night (another great time) and left for UT the next day. More on that next!
(Look at Luke in that bottom pic smiling at me from within the hungry teeth)

GND

Well Hi! Long time no blog.
Yes, it's like a slippery slope. The more you put it off, the easier it is to lose a desire all together. But I really have been super duper busy. And guess what! I have caught up on back posts, too. And have future dated those so you'll have more to read throughout the week. I know, it's so freaking exciting.
I thought I would start with the GND show because it was hoppin'. We had a great turn out which always brings a tear to my eye. I love being able to showcase cool design/products for people and have it so strongly supported. I really love the girls who do this with me year after year and see the vision. And then to have such cool people who appreciate and support it.
I was so busy during the night that I never got pictures of the evening. I wasn't able to make much this year (big surprise) but did fit in some creative things that were floating in my brain. I had these shield necklaces made so you could have one alone on a chain or with a little 'honorary' ribbon. They are a small 1/2" tall, perfect every-day jewelry. I was really pleased with how they turned out. And they are quite affordable, I might add. Only $30 for the plain or stud-edged style and $35 for a ribboned one. It's the holidays people- if you think this would make a rad gifty for that stylish someone (ahem- even you, perhaps?), there are a few left. Let me know if you're interested. Easy Peasy Christmas Gifty.
The second creative execution I tried was vintage string art. I know, I know. Totally weird. I bought this random 70's kit on Ebay in the summer that started it all. I have more ideas I want to try but only had time to make some geometric designs this time. They are big suckers, though- two feet square. And thanks to my Dad and his wise woodworking ways, we figured out a way I can whip these out without using a hammer. So I got to boogie down (more on that to come) in the garage with an air compressor brad gun. Good times, good times. I really thought this was almost too odd a venture to display, but people actually liked them and I sold a few!
I am looking forward to a little breathing room this week. Where I will eat. A lot.

Why

Well, one of the reasons why I have been neglecting posts. I thought things were going to slow down after Halloween but they haven't. The speed has maintained and the rest of my month continues to look that way. But soon- soccer practice/games will end, events will pass and then it's December. So yeah, no comfort of calm there. Life is good though, and I'd rather be busy than not I suppose.
I am making some cool new things for our show next week. Perhaps I will post some peeks for you all.
School is out tomorrow and Friday and S will be on a boys trip so I will have lotsotime to wax creative and play with the kids. Hoorah.
Plus I have a long list of music to investigate. Watch for new recommendations soon (unless you're not tired of those silk stocking gams?).

Framed!

Talk about a custom bike!
Then I can sit on meself.