whimsical creations

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-23T08:23:00.006-05:00

On Sunday my husband's parents hosted Christmas. They always have Christmas the Sunday before Christmas. After I got the kids dressed in their pretty clothes I decided I should take some photos of them by the tree.

My favorite...

Only a few more days!! My presents are all made and wrapped. I can finally see my dining room table....the first time in a month all my clay is put away.

Don't forget to check out my tutorial & enter my giveaway, here.

Take Me Back Tuesday & Flashback Friday

2009-12-22T06:19:00.003-05:00

December 1995
22 yrs old

My brother-in-law (best friend & co-worker at the time) & I decided we should go to our work Christmas Party dressed as Mr & Mrs Claus. We ended up chickening out though. I still have that costume. I had been dating my now husband for about 3mths when this was taken. This photo was taken in my first apartment in Buffalo. It was a 1bdrm basement apartment. Ahhh...the memories.

You can participate and/or check out other Take Me Back Tuesday posts at A Giveaway Addicted Mommy.

You can participate and/or check out other Flashback Friday posts at Christopher And Tia's blog.

Don't forget to check out my tutorial & enter my giveaway, here.

Snow Scene Tutorial & A Giveaway!

2009-12-19T08:57:00.008-05:00

On Wednesday I posted photos of a prototype snow scene that I was going to make for Christmas presents this year.

Here is how I made it.

Gather your ingredients.
- foam (I reused foam I had from packaging)
- pins
- ribbon
- fray check for ribbon
- apothecary jar (the one I posted on Wed was from Hobby Lobby and the one in this tutorial is from Michaels)
- micro beans for bean bag. (I cut open a pillow I had no use for anymore. I bought the pillow at Target many years ago. I did find a bag of them at Hobby Lobby though, but free was better. I love being thrifty.)

First I made all of the polymer clay pins. (That is another tutorial for another day, sorry)
Then I cut the foam to fit the bottom of the jar. I hot glued it to the bottom so when you position the pins it doesn't lift up if you lift the pins up. Try and not have it touch the sides because you will see it, but with the size jar I am using here it touched in a couple spots...no one is going to notice but me.

Then fill around the foam with the micro beads.
Then position your pins in the foam the way you would like and add ribbon to the top of the jar. It tried adding the pins first before the micro foam and the foam stuck to the pins. Don't forget to fray check (or nail polish) the ends of the ribbon so it doesn't fray.

Wallah. You have a pretty little gift. So the possibilities are endless for this little gift. You can use colored sugar or salt instead of foam beads for a different look. I am thinking pink sugar and a cupcake cottage scene for Valentines Day...

Who would like a set of pins and a small baggy with some micro foam beads to make one for themselves? You are in luck, I am going to give away my prototype set of 3 pins, seen here, and a small baggy of micro beads so you can do just that. (Please note: You have to provide your own apothecary jar, ribbon, foam...and more foam beads if you are doing a larger jar)

To Enter:

Leave me a comment below to enter telling me what your favorite item in my shop or my sold section.

Extra Entries (Please leave a comment for each item):

Follow my blog (current followers count).
Blog about this contest and link it back to this blog.
Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway.
Become a fan of my shop on Facebook.
Subscribe to my blog via e-mail or RSS.

Anyone can enter this contest (yep, I will ship worldwide). Please make sure you leave me an e-mail so I can contact you if you won.

The Giveaway ends Saturday, Jan 2nd at midnight EST.

Good Luck!!

Aloha Friday #9

2009-12-18T08:20:00.001-05:00

Salt Dough Ornaments

2009-12-17T14:19:00.011-05:00

As a child I made salt dough ornaments with my mom. Last year she gave me the ornaments I made throughout the years to blog about. It is so fun to look back at how I changed over the years.

In 1984 we all made bears. If you add instant coffee to the salt dough recipe it will turn the dough brown. It also looks like the first year we added food coloring instead of painting the dough.
In 1992 I decided to make bears for everyone I worked with at Wendy's. I still have a bunch of those left.

After my niece was born (1996) I made more bears for my husband's (boyfriend at the time) family. My brother in law made me a dowel tree so I could hang them to dry after I dipped them in varnish. Ahhhhh...having to touch the drips every so often so there wasn't a drip bump on the bottom of the feet. I do not miss that part of making these ornaments. Definitely worth varnishing though so they do not mold over time.

I guess you could say I have been making sculpted ornaments since age 5.
WOW, 31 yrs!
Oh, now I feel old.

Here is a recipe for Salt Dough Ornaments:

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
(Substitute coffee for water - great for gingerbread people & bears. Add food coloring to make colored dough)

Directions:
1. Mix salt and flour.
2. Add in half the water, then gradually add the remaining water.
3. Knead until the dough is smooth, this can take up to 10 minutes.

Baking: Time varies based on thickness of ornament
Temperature: 325 degrees
Time: 1 1/2 hours - or until dry

Coat with acrylic varnish when everything is dry.

Have fun!

Wordless Wednesday-Christmas Presents

2009-12-16T08:08:00.007-05:00

Each year I come up with a new ornament to give for Christmas. This year I decided on making these...a snow scene in an apothecary jar. This is my prototype. I have started making the ones I am giving to family and the tree & snowman are going to be a bit different and I am making putting them in a smaller jar. I am planning on posting a tutorial on how I made it soon.

I am hoping everyone likes them.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Please note: You can vote once a day.

Take Me Back Tuesday & Flashback Friday

2009-12-15T06:24:00.006-05:00

Lily
Dec. 2006

Yesterday was her birthday. I am feeling a bit nostalgic this week.

You can participate and/or check out other Take Me Back Tuesday posts at A Giveaway Addicted Mommy.

You can participate and/or check out other Flashback Friday posts at Christopher And Tia's blog.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Please note: You can vote once a day.

Happy Birthday My Sweetie!

2009-12-14T22:00:00.003-05:00

So I started this post this morning, but time seemed to get away from me.

Today my little girl turned 3. She woke up and told me she was no longer a baby...she was a big girl.

3yr old Lily:
-Loves to play with "little things", Strawberry Shortcake, Littlest Petshops, "Little My Pony" (what you call My Little Pony's) & Princesses.
-Watching Max & Ruby, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Martha Speaks, Caillou & your Little My Pony video.
-Playing dress-up.
-Goes to bed at 7pm and wakes up @6am.
-Loves her big brother Ian, mommy & daddy.
-Wants to go to dance class...ballet specifically. You like to show us your "moves".
-Loves anything sweet.
-Is 61st percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. Smack dab in the middle.

We went to Red Robin for her special dinner tonight. Lily was sooo good through dinner. We waited until after dinner to do presents.

Since the holiday season started, she has told us she wants everything that she sees in commercials. The #1 thing on her list was the Strawberry Shortcake Cafe. (we had intended on giving it to her on Christmas from Santa, but I forgot to take it out of the trunk and Ian & Lily saw it a few weeks ago...oops.)
She asked for her pretty bows in her hair. She LOVES pretty things in her hair now.

Tomorrow afternoon we will be watching Snow White with some popcorn. (mommy's hot air popcorn...yummy!)

She had so much fun opening up presents...can't wait until Christmas.

Aloha Friday #8

2009-12-11T10:00:00.002-05:00

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
Real tree or fake tree, white lights or colored?

My tree is fake & it has colored lights. My husband bought 2 fake trees from Target about 6yrs ago at 90% off...he paid @ $17.00 for both of them. The second tree I haven't used yet...but it never hurts to have a back-up.

The angel on top of the tree my mom made me for my bridal shower. Most of the ornaments on the tree this year are the kid's. Each of my children have their own boxes with their own ornaments & decorations. My mother started that tradition with my sister and I. Each year we would get ornaments and she would write down what they were & the year. When I moved out I took my box with me. I have LOTS of ornaments.

You see the wreath...I made that a couple weeks ago. I saw it here, and had to make one. I bought the ornaments at the dollar store and had some extra gold ones I had bought years ago. I love how it turned out. Make sure you glue all the tops on the bulbs first. Just string them one by one on a coat hanger bent in a circle...then wallah, pretty wreath. I bought other colors to make a second one I am going to put in my hall window.

All that snow from the last post, here, melted by Wed afternoon. We had lots of rain...then the winds came. That nasty storm that has hit most of the country finally hit us Wednesday night. Yesterday we received 15inches of snow where I live in West Seneca (next to S. Buffalo border). Most of the day I could not see across the street. Here is a video of what I saw most of the day. (I did not take it.)

Currently this storm has moved just south of where I live. My son has school today...he was hoping for another snow day.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Please note: You can vote once a day.

Wordless Wednesday-Snow & Joy

2009-12-09T05:19:00.001-05:00

On Monday afternoon it finally decided to snow here in Buffalo. After going out to dinner the kids decided to run around in the snow.
Lily HATED the snow the past couple years. This year she seems to LOVE it.

They had so much fun throwing snowballs at daddy. (Ian could not throw them at me because I had the camera...hahaha)

Have I told you that my kids bring such...
I would also like to introduce you to Fredrick the Owl.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Please note: You can vote once a day.

Happy WW!

Take Me Back Tuesday & Flashback Friday

2009-12-08T09:21:00.004-05:00

December 29, 2006

Lily 15 days old

Seems impossible she was this small. She LOVED to sleep. (unlike her big brother)

You can participate and/or check out other Take Me Back Tuesday posts at A Giveaway Addicted Mommy.

You can participate and/or check out other Flashback Friday posts at Christopher And Tia's blog.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Please note: You can vote once a day.

Not Me Monday - wk21

2009-12-07T07:18:00.007-05:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday.

I had my nephew babysit on Friday night so I could go with my husband to his Christmas party. When I drove him home on Saturday (he lives 30min away) I did not go past his exit on the thruway. I would never be talking to much that I did not notice that I have driven past his exit. (My nephew didn't notice either...he likes to talk, too) After dropping him off, I did not get pulled over by a police officer for speeding. This was not after I turned around because I thought I had gone too far and was lost. Yep, my day kept getting better. I then proceeded to ask the police officer for direction help. He let me off with a warning and pointed me in the right direction. (I think he took pitty on me...he kept smiling at the kids and saying hi to them)

I certainly would never make my daughter her snow white necklace early (her birthday is next Monday) and tell her that if she didn't go poop she could not wear it. She has been doing great, but it had been a few days. She looked at me and said ok, walked up stairs and took a poop. She is wearing her birthday present now. She LOVES it.

This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Please note: You can vote once a day.

Allen Designs Goody Giveaway

2009-12-05T08:28:00.000-05:00

Go here to enter.

Aloha Friday #7

2009-12-04T06:25:00.001-05:00

Busy Busy!

2009-12-03T13:13:00.008-05:00

Yesterday after our appointment, I was busy making Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Tinkerbell. I still would like to eventually make Jasmine and Princess Tiana (Princess & the Frog). For now these are it. My daughter LOVES all of them and my nieces are going to be sooo excited when they each get a set.

I am also selling them as a set of 5. I know there are more than 5 here, but I am not sure that everyone would want both ariels and tinkerbell, so I figured it would be better to let you choose.

Lily's appointment with the dermatologist went well yesterday. It was just our annual check-up. She was born with a birth mark on her face by her mouth. Within the last year and a half we have been weighing out our options on what to do about it. We have spoken with 2 dermatologists (one I go to and one at our Children's Hospital). It seems that in order to remove the birthmark Lily would have to undergo surgery to remove that portion of her face. Um, yeah...not gonna happen. We still want to meet with a plastic surgeon, but I am pretty sure we do not feel comfortable justifying putting her through something like that. About a year ago she started to get hair on the birthmark, which is normal. Yesterday I asked about having the hair removed. I think having the hair gone will help with the self conscious thing when she hits school. Children can be soooo cruel. We are going to revisit that next year, I guess removing the hair is very controversial in the US, but VERY common in other parts of the world. For now it is what it is...her "Chocolate Birthmark". (Lily came up with that name)

I would like to thank everyone for all of your well wishes yesterday. I am feeling a bit better today. THANK YOU!

Wordless Wednesday-Ariel

2009-12-02T07:24:00.006-05:00

I did it! Last week I posted Cinderella. Before that I made Snow White. My niece asked me to make an Ariel from the Little Mermaid in a dress after she saw those other ornaments. I could not resist making both versions. They are both in my shop now.

On other not so wordless wednesday notes:

I still have a cold. My head is feeling a bit fuzzy. Hoping it goes away soon, I do not have time to be sick.
I am off to the dermatologist with my daughter this morning to discuss her birthmark.

Take Me Back Tuesday & Flashback Friday

2009-12-01T07:33:00.006-05:00

December 24th, 2006
Christmas Eve

Lily was 10 days old and Ian was 5 1/2 yrs old. I can remember taking this photo like it was yesterday. They get big so fast.

You can participate and/or check out other Take Me Back Tuesday posts at A Giveaway Addicted Mommy.

You can participate and/or check out other Flashback Friday posts at Christopher And Tia's blog.

I ♥ Faces - Week 47

2009-11-30T07:02:00.000-05:00

This week’s theme is: "We ♥ Tooshies"

You may not see her actual toosh under all that tulle, but I adore how puffy her toosh is.

Check out more photos at i ♥ faces.

Not Me Monday - wk21

2009-11-30T06:37:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday.

Last Wednesday night my husband & I had a date night. First we went to the movies, then out to dinner. At dinner my husband pulled out the directions to the bar in which the benefit was being held. We read through the directions together. Then I got up to go to the bathroom, leaving the directions on the table. My husband was waiting by the bathroom door and we left the restaurant. We DID NOT leave the directions on the table. My husband went back in the restaurant to grab the directions, but they were already gone. We DID NOT decide to try and find it on our own. We ended up in the right vicinity, but never found the bar. We had a great time trying though.

I DID NOT wake up at 3:30am yesterday and could not get back to sleep. After an hour of laying in bed, I WOULD NEVER go downstairs and clean up, watch tv & play on the computer. Seems as if I am fighting some cold right now. I went back to sleep @9am.

I DID NOT forget to pull out my camera when we decorated the Christmas tree on Saturday. You see everything is a photo-op and I WOULD NEVER forget something like that.

I WOULD NEVER send my son to school with a mohawk...NOPE!
This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Aloha Friday #6

2009-11-27T06:17:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday-Cinderella

2009-11-25T04:33:00.002-05:00

I had such a fantastic reaction to the Snow White Ornament that I made for my daughter here, that I decided to sell her in my shop and make some other princesses. I made Cinderella yesterday.

I think I am going to make Ariel next. My 4 year old niece asked me yesterday to make Ariel with legs instead of the mermaid version.

On another note, I am going out on a date night tonight. I am dropping the kids off at the in-laws overnight and my husband & I are going to a benefit concert. The concert is for the father of my husband's high school BFF. The man has terminal cancer. Just heartbreaking. The bands playing are punk bands, one of which my husband's BFF's brother is in. Should be a fun night.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Please note: You can vote once a day.

Take Me Back Tuesday & Flashback Friday

2009-11-24T06:28:00.000-05:00

Summer 1993

In the summer of 1993 my friend (girl below on right) had a house party. I went to high school with the people in the picture. This photo was 2 years after graduation. I have reconnected with the 2 girls on facebook.

At the time I was going out with the boy on the right and had been friends with the boy on the left for many years (all through high school). I miss the boy on the left. He still has yet to join facebook.
Shhhh...yes we were all 19-20 in these photos. Ahhhh...to be young and care free.

We had a great time that night.

You can participate and/or check out other Take Me Back Tuesday posts at A Giveaway Addicted Mommy.

You can participate and/or check out other Flashback Friday posts at Christopher And Tia's blog.

Fried Provalone Cheese

2009-11-23T11:15:00.003-05:00

My parents are vegetarians. They became vegetarians when I was really young. They are not vegan or in your face about it, but they do not eat meat. They do eat seafood, eggs and dairy products. My parents let my sister and I eat meat growing up. My mom would buy my sister and I chicken noodle soup, but my parents never ate it. I am no longer a vegetarian, but my sister and her family are. I do however LOVE getting cheese subs still and both of my children LOVE vegetables. My mother is an awesome cook and baker.

So onto the fried provolone cheese. As a vegetarian, BLT's are not really an option. Now a days you can purchase what I like to call fakin bacon, but back then they didn't have anything like that. My mother was watching Phil Donahue one morning in 1983 and saw Nikki & David Goldbeck on the show. They were promoting their book, American Wholefoods Cuisine (Over 1300 meatless common wholesome recipes from short order to gourmet). My mother thought the Fried Provolone Cheese looked yummy and went to our local bookstore and had them order the book. When my mom fried it we usually had a CLT (cheese, lettuce, tomato) sandwich that night. It is yummy on it's own and my kids and husband will eat it that way, too. BTW...my husband is REALLY picky and is a meat & potatoes kind of guy and he likes it. One of my BBF's is even pickier than my husband and she asked me why I never made her try it before (I had her try it a couple years ago). She now makes it, too.

It is really simple to do. Place a slice of cheese (I just used regular slices I bought at the deli) in a hot non stick frying pan. When the edges get a bit crispy use tongues and flip the cheese. When the other side looks golden brown take out and drain, like you would if you fried bacon.

My mom also makes Onion Soup using the recipe she found in this book and it is FANTASTIC! MMMmmm...wish my picky husband liked Onion Soup.

I have to apologise for the tutu post. (if you were here earlier you know what I mean) I posted that on the wrong week and it will be back next Monday.

I have a favor to ask of my blog readers. I entered my swirly santa ornament in the Michaels Handmade Holiday Contest. I would LOVE to win. (who wouldn't?) Would you please go here and give me 5 snowmen. No need to register...just click through and click 5 snowman (under the picture of my santa click on the last snowman). Thanks a bunch!!

Please note: You can vote once a day.

Christmas Pictures

2009-11-21T11:39:00.006-05:00

Every year we take the kids to get a family photo taken for Christmas cards. Her are some of the photos that were taken. I made the clip for Lily's hair, remember here. I decided on the white flower to go with this dress. I have another Christmas dress she is going to wear the red rose with.

Seriously...?!?!

2009-11-20T05:50:00.002-05:00

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
Do you send candy in your children's school lunches as a dessert (especially now that we all have too much Halloween candy.) Or growing up did your parents send you with candy as dessert once in a while? Does your school have a no candy policy in lunches brought from home?

Ok, so I have a fire under my butt this week.

I received this letter from the school Monday...

"Dear Potters Road Families,

This year, Potters Road Elementary has joined the other elementary schools in West Seneca and neighboring districts that have made the decision to eliminate lunch visitations.

In addition, in an effort to promote healthy food choices, pop, candy, and restaurant food (i.e. McDonalds) cannot be brought into the school cafeteria. This policy is consistent throughout the district. I encourage you to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,
Holly Quinn
Principle"

This has gotten out of hand. On Monday, my son came home upset because I sent him to school with part of a chocolate bar (he bought in school) for dessert in his bag lunch. Seriously? My 8yr old is worried he is going to be expelled for bringing candy into school. Seriously? I can no longer send in a tootsie roll as a special dessert in his lunch? Or leftover pizza? WTH? BUT the schools can serve my kid chicken nuggets, pizza, cake, ice cream and fruit cups stored in heavy syrup? Seriously...? When did I stop being the parent and loose my right to choose what my 8yr old is fed? While I understand that as a society we should be healthier, but seriously? Who hasn't sent Halloween/Christmas candy in their child's lunch as a dessert or as a child had their parents send it? Instead of policing what I send in my son's lunch, why don't you take a look at your own lunch menu?...
Where did the input come from for this decision? When did candy become evil? When my husband talked to the principle, she told him that it is unacceptable to send in that "tootsie roll" in our son's lunch and when asked why they are selling ice cream & chicken nuggets in the cafeteria, she stated that she has no say in the lunch menu and that we as parents have the right not to purchase the ice cream or school lunch. NICE! It's great to hear I have some rights. At the beginning of the year we sold candy for the school's PTG and I picked it up on Tuesday in the cafeteria...loving the irony. I talked to the vice-superintendent on Wednesday and have been assured they are not going to police the lunch rooms for candy.

BTW...this is the second ridiculous letter from the principle. The first one told all the parents that we are not allowed to pick up our children between 2:30-3:00pm (school ends at 3pm) without a dr's excuse. I bit my tongue then, but she just keeps getting more ridiculous. What's next?

If you are still reading, thank you for listening to me rant. It just rubs me the wrong way when people are trying to take my rights away as a parent.

***edited to add***
We are not huge candy people, I will send a couple small pieces in my son's school lunch if we have it (ie. Halloween candy) as a dessert.