My forgotten update from the Craftacular event.

A week and a half ago I went to a unique craft fair here in Madison, and I almost forgot to tell you about all I saw.  There were a lot of homemade jewelry vendors, some pottery, various knitted items.  Some unique things were records melted into bowls, and the record covers made into serving trays, and something you would find in Wisconsin....duct tape wallets and passport covers.  I was good and only bought myself one thing, a christmas stocking and it was only $8.

Not quite my dream house, but it'll do.

Well it took two tries, but we got our gingerbread house to stand on it's own!  I tried to be fancy like the outside of the box, but lets just say I don't have a "delicate touch" when it comes to this kind of thing.  I will never be invited to apprear on Ace of Cakes that's for sure.

3-5"....of snow? Where have I been?

So it's been flurrying all day, and I didn't really think much of it until I saw someone post on facebook that we were supposed to get actual inchage.  One thing about being unemployed, I never check the weather.  I used to be a religious follower....but then again you have to wake up before 7 to actually watch the local news.  I'll continue to live in a well rested weatherfree bliss, it's worth it.

Interview tomorrow

So tomorrow I have my follow-up interview at SubZero.  I'm already taken 3 batches of online testing for it, one was almost like taking my ACT's all over again!  I've had a phone interview and a face-to-face interview, now I have an hour and a half scheduled with multiple people.  This is quite an intense interview process.

A few days late, but it's the effort that counts right?

I've been kind of absent this past week, so lets see what have I been up.  I finished the wooden tiles below, made some cards, baked Kurt turkey dinner with all the fixin's for Thanksgiving.  I survived working 5 hours at Old Navy on BLACK FRIDAY!  I had a good interview at SubZero and received a call for a second interview, and just about got all of Kurt's families Christmas shopping done.  I'd say it was fairly productive.

Neat gift ideas for yourself.....or if your very generous, for others.

Are you looking for that perfect something for the living room wall, or you child's bedroom, or .... face it about anyplace you can think of?

Check out this website Scribble It

I would love to paint an ice blue rectangle around the outside of this decal in brown.

Also I would love these in my craft room, they are chalkboard decals!

Advent Calendar for the fridge

I have an idea, now I just need to find the supplies...cheap.  I want to get 12 of the round magnetic tins that some people use to store spices on the sides of their fridge.  Decorate them with ribbon, cut out some holiday designs on my Cricut, and print numbers 1-12 in different fonts and stick them on the front.  Of course we will have to start opening them earlier then normal since Kurt will be with his family for Christmas...but that just means I get to celebrate Christmas twice;-)

I have a plan for next year

Or at least a calender to lay it all out in;-)  Here is the $1 planner I bought from Michael's the other day

Before:

After:

Another Interview - November 30

Today Subzero called me to set up an interview for their customer service department.  I never get excited about these anymore, but at least it stirs a little hope.  Friday I'm going to head to the workforce center here in Madison to get some information and then this weekend I'm going to sit down with Kurt and discuss going back to school.  It's not exactly the step I want to take, but if it can help me out in the long run it might be worth it while I now have some time to do it.

This weeks to-do list

Today I purchased a year planner for a dollar at Michael's, one of the ones with a clear plastic cover.  I have lots of ideas on how to make this a stylish accessory for my purse, starting with some of the new paper I purchased from Hobby Lobby yesterday.  I'll be sure to get some before and after pics up here by the end of the week along with the coasters I'll be doing.  First I have to get through one more day of work.

Takin' the big plunge

So Kurt and I have finally decided to make an official commitment to each other.

I bet you all think we're engaged, Ha;-)  I'm becoming his domestic partner, at least in the eyes of his employer so I can get on his insurance.  He even mentioned to me after we were done hammering out the details that it's just as good as a ring, now that's romance.

Thank you Hobby Lobby!

I finally found 8 wooden 4 x 4 plaques ($.50 each) to create a new type of coaster I've been dying to try.  I also got a ton of neat patterned paper to put on them for half off!  Here is the link incase you might want to try this yourself.  I will post some pics of my own once I get them made later this week.

Black Friday Website

If anyone wants to get a headstart on their lists of stores to hit on Black Friday, check out this site my mom sent to me.  www.blackfriday.info/  They still don't have all the stores up, but they already have a lot of the sales for Old Navy listed.

Done.

I have finally finished making the Christmas cards I will be selling in packs of 6 at the craft fair this weekend.  I still hope to get a couple tile coaster sets done and a couple misc. cards done, first though I need to clean off the dining room table and get everything back in it's place in the spare bedroom.

Craftacular

I found a really fun looking "Craft Fair" November 28th. I am totally taking off work for this one. Check it out! Craftacular

There was a women today at the Madison Holiday Market who's booth was called Artsy Fartsy, she's going to be there on the 28th.  Here's one of her hilarious cards.

Early Christmas Present...to me

I found this cute ribbon holder/lazy susan at Oriental Trading Company, only $9.99!  I was able to fit one whole container of my ribbon on here and still have room for some more.  Now if I can get Kurt to buy me the wall shelf I will be set. 

Plus, by spending $25, I got 500 Mypoints and I found a free shipping coupon code online....not to shabby if I say so myself.  I never really thought Oriental Trading Company had much to offer other then crap (to put it bluntly), but they have a whole new craft line that had lots of Christmas themed items.  I got a whole bag of christmas colored buttons, some misc. ribbon and embossing powders all in reds and greens.

Details on Outerwear Sale

So today at work I got the low-down on this weekends sale, and it's AWESOME!

Outerwear for the entire family is 50% off, November 6th-12th.  Plus Stuff and Save is still going on through the 8th so you can get another 30% off on top of that!  Isn't that crazy!  So if you bought one of the women's dress coats originally $89.95, it would only cost you $17.99.

Also One Day Wonder, Performance Fleece Scarves for the entire family $1 Saturday 11/7 only.  (Limit 5)

In the Groove

I got a lot further then I thought I would.  I got 8 cards done in about 2 hours and I used up some supplies from last year, so all in all a productive day.

Christmas state of mind.

I finally got working on the Christmas cards I will be selling at the craft fair the 14th in Fort Atkinson.  I have a week and a half to try to get 30 cards done...that's do-able right?  With my current lack of ambition I will have to keep you updated.  (Pics to come)

Why did I do that again?

I just got done frosting a triple batch of cut-out cookies for Kurt to take to work and share with his co-workers.  Why do I do these things for people I don't even know:-)  I'm sure someday soon something good will happen to me in return.

Interview in less then 1 hour.

Every time I have an interview I've been getting more and more nervous.  I guess when I first got laid off I figured it would be easier to get a job, especially if I'd already scored the coveted interview.  But after having 6 or 7 interviews and no offers, I'm starting to doubt myself.  Time to buck up, maybe this will be the one!  Wish me luck.

If you haven't bought a winter coat...wait until Saturday!

So I'm giving everyone the heads up!  If you need a winter coat they are all going on sale this weekend at Old Navy and you save another 30% by using your Old Navy card.  Also their nice fleece scarves are going to be $1 a piece, yeah you read that right $1!  (limit 5)

Day Trip

Today Kurt and I went on a day trip to Yellowstone Lake down by Blanchardville, which I suppose for us that would almost be considered a vacation since we never go anywhere.  We took some curvy, hilly roads that were reminiscent of some roller coasters I went on at Disney.  Needless to say it's some beautiful country down there and I would love to spend a weekend hiking these hills and getting some great photos next fall before the leaves all fall off.

November is here already!

This week is a busy week.  I got a triple batch of cut-outs about ready for cutting, I have a table of items to make for a craft fair in a couple weeks, 3 loads of laundry to wash and the whole house to clean.  But what am I doing?  Playing Restaurant City on Facebook!  I should know better, and the computer has been acting up so I'd be better off doing something from my list.  Ok, here I go, wish me luck!

Happy Halloween!

So I'm one of "those" people, that dress their pet up for a picture at Halloween.  I got a few pictures of Tweed in his lion hat.  The first one is when he had the ambition to fight me so I couldn't get a good picture, the second one was about 5 minutes later when he finally gave in because he realized he wasn't going to get the thing off his head until I was happy.  Poor cat;-)

Get your booty on down to Old Navy tomorrow!

Here's the word right out of my ON employee newsletter - my store opens at 9:30 am.

Winter Stuff N Save Event 10/30 – 11/8. The first 50 people who show their cards can save 50% on their entire purchase!! Everyone else using their cards gets 30%, which is much better than the normal 20% for SNS. Also anybody who signs up gets the 30% discount!!

Two calls for interviews in one day?

So just as I was getting ready to start dinner the phone rings.....and the place where my dream job lies is on the other end!  A customer service position in a printing/specialty finishing company, exactly what I want within 10 minutes of home and for the same pay I was making at my old job...is there really a god out there?

Phone Interviews...bring 'em on!

So tomorrow I have a phone interview for a customer service position, it's not in my field exactly, but it sounds like a good place.  This will be my second phone interview, the last one I had I loved!  It's nice to a get a feel for the company and the hr person before you're completely put on the spot in a real face-to-face interview.  Wish me luck!

Looking for a trim?

I found a nice place here in Madison to get a great cut for less then $15.  Check out Shear Design on Broadway over by Felly's Flowers and Papa Murphy's.  Also if you search on craigslist.com, they post coupons on there to save $4!  I have to admit I figured when paying so little, it was going to be a quick bing-bang you're done type cut, but I got tons of layers and she really spent a lot of time thinning my thick hair out for me.  Next I'm going back to get some carmel hi-lites ($8 off coupon online for that too!).

More disappointment

Another job interview bites the dust.  I emailed the place I interviewed with a couple weeks ago to check on the status of the position, they offered it to another person.  I should really be getting used to this by now.

Some cheap fun here in Madison!

If you and the family are looking for something to do on the cheap this fall/winter, get your butts down to the Hartmeyer Arena for some hockey!  Check out our new pro team at www.icemuskies.com/.  Kurt and I went Friday night and Saturday, each night getting 3+ hours of entertainment for $20.  Make sure to give the lady at the merchandise table some props...not only is she sitting there selling cowbells and plastic horns all night, she sings the anthem and is the EMT!  Now that's multi-tasking.

Recommendation: Bring something to sit on and dress warm!

Comfort foods

You ever go to the store find something to make that sounds so yummy, but it's a lot of work.  Then the day comes to make it, and it just doesn't sound like something you want to eat that day, but you've already defrosted the meat and bought all the vegetables.  Today is a perfect example, I have 4 pounds of bone-in chicken defrosted, a bag of carrots and celery sitting in the fridge and chicken noodle soup doesn't sound good right now.  I hate that my life can be dictated so easily by cravings, today I would be happy with a frozen tombstone pizza.

Living the Semi-Unemployed Lifestyle

I should rename my blog since half of my time right now is being taken up by my part time job.  I haven't done a single creative thing in over a week, it's actually making me feel semi-depressed too;-)  My blog has gotten over 1000 hits to date, thanks everyone!  I need to do something exciting quick before I lose everyone's interest.

All Set

The house is clean, the kool-aid is in the fridge and the new wii game is loaded....I think I'm ready for a fun night with my nephews;-)

Finally a little hope

So today I had a phone interview with a company called CPM Marketing Group for a position that the HR women said seemed a lot like what I explained my previous position to be.  She seemed very excited to schedule an office interview for first thing next week, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Time Really Does Fly

Since today was the birthday party for our nephew Bradley's 1st b-day, I can now proudly display his card I made.  I found some great stuff at Scrapbook and Stamping Memories (my favorite store!!!).  I used my sewing machine on this too, I've seen people do this and so I finally branched out and tried it myself.

So Tired

Apparently the economy is getting better, at least if would seem like it if you had gone to Old Navy today.  After working 7 hours of physical labor, a first in over 3 months for me, I am beat!  If I can make it to 9 tonight I will be suprised.

First Day On-The-Job...

So today was my first official day working at Old Navy, I still haven't bought anything (which I am very proud of), and I get home and I have one phonecall and one email pertaining to resumes I sent out last week.  What the heck, why couldn't I get a call back a couple weeks ago when I was hemming and hawing about getting a part-time gig.....just my luck.

Charter, Why send the jobs over-seas?

I just spent 30 minutes on the phone trying to order NHL Center Ice.  Maybe it would've been easier if I had just said I wanted to order football on ice.

Isn't She Gorgeous!!

I went to my cousins wedding this past weekend, everything was perfect!  It's hard to tell from this pic but her dress had a lace overlay with polka dots on it...how cute.  It makes me a little depressed to think she's so grown up already, I remember when her mom was preggers with her;-)

So now you have to go to Old Navy....

I'm starting my training on Tuesday for a part-time gig.  I can ease into working again after having the summer off, get a nice discount and some extra spending money...it's a win-win situation.

Face-Lift

Though I would really like a little work myself, I have to settle with just my blog getting some help.  Thanks Amber!!!  I got the idea from your awesome site.

Sara Lee Deli $3.00 coupon!

How easy is this, become a fan of Sara Lee Deli on facebook and get a $3.00 coupon.

Free Chocolate, Hurry!!

If you sign up on this website right now https://www.realchocolate.com/, you will get a coupon for a free  Mars candy bar.  This is the last friday to take advantage of it.  I used my first coupon this week to get a free bag of M&M's, the boys had them gone in less 60 seconds....at least they were free;-)

Not Quite the Best Idea I've Had

I've been anticipating the fall weather so much that yesterday I made my homemade french onion soup to have for dinner.  Unfortunately when it was time for dinner it was still 77 degrees with 90% humidity...I don't recommend soup and grilled cheese sandwiches in that kind of weather, it kind of takes the enjoyment out of it.

Old Navy Baby!!!

While I was waiting for my interview at Old Navy today I found some great deals.  I got 6 shirts for about $34, and then I used my $20 rewards card I just got in the mail.....so I got 6 shirts for $14!!!!  Most of the short sleeved and sleeveless shirts were on sale for half off to make room for the fall stuff.

World Alzheimer's Day.....It's ok if you forgot

Every 70 seconds someone develops Alzheimer's, so make sure you do that crossword it may save you in the long-run.

Fall is here....well in one day, close enough!

Below are some cards that I made for my Grandma to sell at the Farmers Market in Lake Mills.  $1.50 each or 3 for $4.00, a lot better then $6.00 for one at the store.

And some more pumpkins I made for the craft fairs next month.

And some little girl alligator clips I made after finding some felt flowers at my local stamping store, I had to find some reason to pick some of these up.

Did you notice everything is in fall colors, obviously I've subconsciously been craving the new season.

Finally some productivity.

So today I made 3 pumpkins and 4 cards, pics to come.  Hopefully I can keep myself from slacking, even though I'm feeling a cold coming on...boo.

My Promise to You Blog!!!!

I know you have been disappointed in me this week.  My promise to you blog, is that tomorrow I will give you something interesting to display;-)  Between the fabric I got to make some Christmas trees, and all the pumpkins yet to be made and all the cute ribbon I got to make hair clips, I'll make you proud!

Frugalities.com - Stamping and Scrapbooking deal

If you are into making your own cards or photo albums you have to check out this website!!!!  40% off the entire site right now.  Now that I have a good base of supplies and stamps I can make a card for less then $1.00 a piece, and it's much more fun then sitting in front of the card aisle for 20 minutes trying to find that perfect card;-)

http://www.frugalities.com/

A Roarin' Good Time

Here are some pictures from Animal Kingdom. We went on a Safari and got to see a lot of animals up close and personal, fortunately there were no incidents that would make it onto "When Animals Attack"!

Disney Withdrawal

So it's my second day back and I'm finally feeling semi-human again.  Reality is such a harsh thing to come back to after a week of fantasy and fun, I kind of forgot that I was unemployed!

Leavin' On A Jet Plane....

Tomorrow we leave for Florida (we being my mom, sisters and nephews).  I will be back with pictures in a week!  Everyone have a wonderfully relaxing Labor Day.

Never-Ending Pasta Bowls

Thanks to Amber I got out of the house today for a nice shopping outing and dinner at my favorite little italian place (the Olive Garden).  This month they have never-ending pasta bowls going on for $8.95 plus we had a coupon for $4.00 off two entrees, which was in last Sundays paper.  All you can eat salad and pasta for less then a meal at Culver's!  Thanks for a great night Amber, we will get that movie watched one of these days. 

I Should Be Doing Something.

I have to clean and finish packing yet, and what am I doing? I'm looking at ideas on what to do with my computer armoire that's been sitting unfinished for hmmm.....about 9 years. I know what I'm doing with it finally, but now what color? I may finally get this thing finished before the Mayan calendar ends.

I Caught the Fish!!!!

....On Camera;-)

This is one of the two fish that have been eluding my nephew. He came to the pier today to mock us because we didn't have a fishing pole or a net. One of these days Bassie....you will be ours (insert evil laugh here).

Eddie Bauer

I'm going to Eddie Bauer at the outlet mall with mom today. If we go together we get an extra 20% off clearance, time to search out some long sleeved shirts. At this rate winter will be here by the end of October!

Putt-Putt

Monday we took the boys for one last special outing of the summer before school started. We went mini-golfing and then went to Frosty Freeze for a cool yummy treat. Needless to say I don't think there will be a Tiger Woods coming from our family, but we still had fun.

I want the last 3 hours of my life back!

So I just went for the interview for the Hy-Vee part-time florist position, and it could've been mine for $8.50 an hour if I had wanted to stick around for another hour and a half to get the orientation information. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll spend my time making stuff at home to sell instead.

Free Money!!!

Today I reached over 7,000 points on the MyPoints website again, that will bring me another $50 giftcard to either Kohl's or Old Navy to get some fall clothes. Since the weather in August/September does not want to cooperate with my current tank top and shorts wardrobe, it may be time for some updates.

To get an account go to http://www.mypoints.com/ and sign up, you will get emails every day to click on to get 5 points a pop, or do your online shopping through the website and get points for every dollar you spend....even on ebay purchases!

Jon and Cake Plus 8

Jon turns 8 so soon, since I've been spending so much time with them it's been making me so sad to think about how fast they are growing up. They now know when I'm fibbing to them instead of innocently believing me and saying "really?". They no longer need my help with anything, because they can do it themselves. And worst of all...they have more money in their wallets then I do...how does an 7 year old make money?