MIA

Yep, again I have been MIA. Its a good thing I "blog without limits" or I would be in trouble!
So here are some quick updates to what I have been up to while I was MIA.
I got a new job!!!!!! I took a job offer as an LVN at the correctional facility in Soledad. I am totally nervous as this is my first LVN position since I got my license last October. I will be starting there on 11/30. Most of the time getting a state job takes a long time but due to budget restrictions, I have to start by 11/30 because they can no longer hire as of 12/1. We are cutting it a little close aren't we?
This will be a 1.5 hour drive each way for me so it looks like we are going to be moving soon. Mike and I decided not to rush the moving because I don't want to be stressed out about it right before Christmas. Our goal is to move by mid January. We have started packing up some things and cleaning so its not all bunched into the last few weeks we are here.


My oldest daughter turned 13, OMG I HAVE A TEENAGER SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!!! Ok so it's not that bad but still, lol. We took her to the Ducks Stanford game the day after and we lost boo but we still had fun! For her party I am "gulp" taking her and her friends to see New Moon on Saturday. Yep, that's right. Me, my friend Tia and 8 giggly, screaming, crazy 13 year old girls going to see New Moon. I know, what was I thinking?!?!?!?


I did my first craft show. Didn't turn out so hot. But lessons learned, I will never ever sign up for another craft show that is not juried because I can't compete with B & S sellers (that would be buy and sell, stuff that is not handmade)
I still need to work on my PIF piece for Jewels, I have the pattern made, just need to pick up beads to start it. Maybe I will do that in the morning. I was going to stop at a bead store today on my way to my CPR class after my dr appt but it took longer than I thought so I didn't get to stop.


My hospice family took me to dinner last night at TGIF's to celebrate my new job. I have been so lucky to have worked with such a great group of people in Hospice and I love them all very much! And since I work in 2 departments, I have to go through the tears and goodbyes one more time but at least I will have some great pics of all of us!
I have been trying to organize my finished jewelry and get it listed in my ETSY shop. Wow that is a lot of work!
Just read on Lisa's blog that One World One Heart is coming soon! Can't wait for that. I have some cute pieces made that didn't sell and maybe one other thing in the works that I will be giving away on my blog so watch for that to come.
So that is what I have been doing for the last month. Wow, I think I need a nap just reading that!

Painted Pumpkin

My wonderful boss Nancy brought us in mini pumpkins for Halloween. I am not talking about the flat squished ones, this is a nice round one like you would carve, only smaller. I brought it home to figure out what to do with it and it has been sitting at my desk mocking me for two weeks. I knew I wanted to try painting it, but what to paint? Last night while surfing the blog world I found this cool Terrorific Tuesday project from My Big Mouth.
I love the saying on the sign she did and new it was a perfect fit for my pumpkin!

Witch parking only, violators will be TOAD!



The side with loops and stars.


The back with more loops and stars.



Couldn't leave out the broom now could I?

I have to say, I am not by any means a painter and I did this all free hand and man it was not easy! I have a newfound respect for people who paint artistic works. I can also understand the love they have for it as even tho it wasn't easy to do, it was SO MUCH FUN! Maybe I will have to have another go at a bigger sign for home since this pumpkin is heading back to work!

Spiders, Bats and Ghosts Oh My! Free Halloween Craft Project

So I got this great idea from one of my myspace buddies to make spiders from Styrofoam balls. I have had the stuff forever and have been meaning to do them but we finally had some free time tonight.

Our spiders turned into more then just spiders tho. We have ghosts and bats and pumpkins and ghouls and some special Jordan creations.

So seeing how it is Halloween and these are super easy, fun and kid friendly, I am doing my first ever free craft project!

Spiders, Bats and Ghosts Oh My!

Supplies,
Styrofoam balls, assorted sizes.
Acrylic paints in assorted colors.
Paint brushes
Foam brushes
Hot glue gun
Pipe cleaners
Stick on Crystals
Googly eyes
Glitter Pens
Puffy Paints
Tissue Paper
(Basically any fun things you have around the house for decoration)
Something to cover your workspace with, we used up some of our plastic grocery bag stash from when I forget my shopping bags.

1. Paint all of your Sytrofoam balls with a layer of your acrylic paint using your foam brushes.
2. Allow to completely dry (trust me or you will have painty fingers like we did :) )
Decorate with you random gathered supplies.

For Pumpkins, use 2-4 1 inch pieces of green pipe cleaner together pushed about halfway down into the top of an orange ball. You can pull them out after you make the hole and pipe in some hot glue to secure the pipe cleaners in.
Paint on your pumpkin face.


For Ghosts, use a white ball, paint on a ghostly face. Optional, glue tissue paper streamers about a foot long cut into strips to the bottom of the ball to give it a ghostly appearance.



For Spiders, cut 2 pipe cleaners in half. Fold all four pieces in half again. Piece two folded pipe cleaners together for each side. Bend into spider leg shape (think like a chair with the back, seat and front legs). Bend the tops down about 1/4 to 1/3 inch and stick into opposite sides of the ball. Secure with glue before adjusting legs.



For Bats, Bend 2 pipe cleaners at the same time for a uniform shape. Make your first bend about 3 inches down into a V. Bend the bottom half of the wing into this shape VVVVV. Cut off excess and place one wing on each side of Bat, securing with glue. Cut 2 1" pieces, fold into v shapes and place on top of head for ears. I used two tiny scraps stuffed in the face for fangs (this would be a good idea for spider fangs too.)


Use your imagination and be sure to send me pictures of what you make!


Tori's Ghoul

My eyeballs.
Oh and I almost forgot. Colby and I finally made our Pirate ship that I got as a kit last year on clearance from JoAnn Fabrics.

Fan Page

Yeah fun things! I finally created a fan page for my stuff.

Jax's Beads on Facebook

I know I haven't been around here in a while but again busy life takes over. We went to Santa Cruz a few weeks ago for an end of the summer mini vacation. We had so much fun.
You just have to jump on the beds when you stay at a hotel.


Pool jumping fun.


Mini Double shot at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. $10 ride bracelet nights rock!


Me soaking wet after the log ride, of course right? lol.


We also went to Comedy Jam this year. It was our second time going, tho we missed last year because we were in Oregon. OMG it was so much fun.
We went with our friends Courtney and Robert and got to see Carlos Mencia, Kevin Hart, Cedric the Entertainer, Angelah Johnson and a few others. There were 10 comedians total but the best of the night was Gabriel Iglesias!

He is so freaking cool and does fan pics after his shows. We are going to see him again in Sept at The San Jose Improv. Totally can't wait!

I also decided that I am going to get a booth at the Berryessa flea market Holiday Fair Nov. 14th and 15th. I am so excited because it will be my first ever craft fair. Nervous too but more excited. I am working on ideas for setting up my table and getting stuff ready to sell. I will post some pics soon as I have them. I have a few ideas but need a trip to Goodwill to keep it budget friendly. I also need to come up with some cute packaging ideas so any suggestions are welcome.

Blog linky love giveaway

Time to pass out a little linky love for one of my favorite blogs, Carolee Clark from King Of Mice Studios is an absolutely amazingly talented artist. I look forward every day or so to see the new creations she makes. Of course being that she paints tons of Halloween items, you know that puts her right at the top of my favorite list!
This week she is hosting a giveaway for a hand painted Halloween black cat box. Be sure to stop by and check it out. You won't be disappointed.

Playing with wire.

I finally started playing with wire. I have been wanting to incorporate wire work in my jewelry for some time now and am so glad I took the plunge. Wire has a life of its own so it is taking some getting used to maneuvering it but in the few pieces I have done, I already feel like they are turning out better.


I bought a thing a majig today and some colored copper wire to practice. This is my first pieces and I think I went over board with the loops. I love how it turned out but I think they will be better next time after more practice.


This is the second design I did. I think it turned out much better. I also learned you need to press down on the wire after every loop you make to ensure that it stays together instead of pulling apart when you remove it from the pegs.
We are heading to Santa Cruz for the night tomorrow so I won't be able to spend more time with this until Thursday. Then baby sitting on Friday and a promise of GI Joe at the drive in Saturday so no beading for me for a few days.
The kids start school again on the 20th and I am really looking forward to having some free time to really get some things made up. I will hopefully be getting a table at the Holiday Craft Fair at Berryessa flea market in November and I want to be ready. It will be my first ever!

Pay it forward.

One of the things I like most about having a blog is my list of people I follow. Someone always has a cool project or something fun going on. That being said, I found this great game on Julie's blog and totally love the idea. Here is the post from her blog.

I found this Pay It Forward Game on a fellow Blog. I have followed Julie for awhile now after stumbling upon her site from another blog. I love seeing the new things she does and it really inspires me to get my but in gear to try new things.

Okay - Here's how it works:

I am entering into the following contract with the first 5 people who comment on this post and then commit to do the same on their blog. I'm the world's worst when it comes to commitments via the BLOG - but this one really appeals to me!

Just read below and if you feel up to the task copy the following into your blog and leave me a comment.

I am willing to send a surprise worldwide (I live in the USA, BUT before any goodies are sent out - I must see a post on your blog - send me a link - that'd be perfect).

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber.
5. I reserve the right to do something strange or weird (though I don't really make strange or weird myself - but left the text in - just in case someone else may think so).
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address – after I contact you.

Welcome to everyone. I will however, make an effort to do something that you like based on what I see on your blog, BUT there are no guarantees.

Hoping I won't have to beg :)