Happy Halloween!!!

Enjoy the festive look for today! I thought it would be fun for a change.

Do you have all trick and treat candy to hand out??? I found it interesting that the halloween isles at the store where cleared out today and all the merchandise moved to another location and on SALE! But what really made it interesting was the shelves were being completely stocked with Christmas items! Bring on the season! LOL!!

I love to buy off season - whether it's clothes for the kids, after christmas sales, whatever! I love a good bargain and tucking it away until it's season rolls around again and then it's all new! and I find it really love it because I got it for such a great bargain.

I held true to my statement of no sugary sweets on tuesday after waaaaay too much over the weekend. yeah! I did it! I almost gave in but I feel so much better - plus I know today holds alot of sugar!!!! *sigh*

There's a trend going around here in my area and I wonder if it's the same in your area as well. It seems door to door trick or treating is on the way out and "safe" trick or treating is the on the rise. We've TRUNK or treated for the past 5 years at our local church and the kids get enough candy there that we only hit a few neighbors to see their kids and have a quick visit. But this year one of the local high schools is having trick or treating inside the school, a new local shopping area is also having store to store trick or treating and one of the large malls always has store to store trick or treating as well. All well lit areas, safe environments and some of them even warm. All their flyers talk about "safe" trick or treating and it seems to becoming more popular. At least in my area. What about yours? Do you still trick or treat door to door or do you attend these new type events or TRUNK or treat? I'd love to know!

Enjoy your sugar filled holiday! I'll be attending a costume parade at my daughters school, then helping out with the classroom party and trunk or treating tonight!

If you really love this holiday you should visit hop hop jingle boo blog! She does amazing work - year round all centered on this fun holiday! I recently worked with her on a custom order. I could not have been more pleased with how my items turned out! And if you are in the mood for alittle Halloween party, Ghouls Just Want to have fun is having a bloglandia party!!! There will be some tricks and maybe even a few treats! So grab your broom - put on your best costume and have a good time!

Sugar Rush

Ugh! So many sweets and we haven't even hit Halloween yet *sigh* We've had a weekend full of birthday cakes for a niece and nephew, followed up by something sweet I cooked up on Sunday afternoon, ate the leftovers of that Monday and then attended a halloween party last night! I'm done! No sugary goodness for me today and then on Halloween I KNOW I will sneak a little here and there. *wink* But then I will probably be regretting it again like I am right now.

So what do you do about the sugar overload?? I want my kids to have fun on Halloween and we have always trick or treated but I really don't like all the candy they come home with that I have to deal with every moment of the day. "Can I have another piece?" "I want more candy." And the fits, whining and highs and lows they go through. No thanks! anyone else go through the same battles??

do you limit how much they get each day? Do you throw some of it out? Do you just let them have at it and when it's gone it's gone??? HELP!!!! I'd love to hear your advice!

Name Calling

LOL!!! So I just got a call from my older sister and she said, "Come on blog slacker. Your last post was Thursday. " *snicker* Although I've never cared to be called names (wink) I guess this one wasn't so bad since I guess she takes an interest in my blog and wants to see something new! LOL!!!


I hadn't posted anything new because I wanted to make sure everyone - who would take an interest in it - would see my DIY fridge magnets tutorial. Seems like once I post something new blog readers don't always scroll far enough past the "newest" post to see what is under it in the event that I post 2 that day or one quickly right after the other. SO - that is my reasoning for being a "blog slacker"

And since she called me out on it and wants to see something new, how about I turn the blog on her! I recently did an informal photoshoot of her and her fiance. She just wanted a few quick photos taken so she can send one to the local newspaper, etc. The fall colors were gorgeous and the day was perfect! The location we went too was BUSY with about 4 different high school seniors getting their pictures done after a week of rainy bad weather. Seems like everyone had the same idea that day! Here's a little collage I created for her! (now let's just hope I don't really get in trouble for this! *wink*)

*GASP* - have you been caught???

Faux Pas [noun] - a violation of accepted, although unwritten, social rules.

~ a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion.


Are you in violation of a decorating NO - NO???? *gasp* the thought!!! I couldn't help but laugh and get a kick out of a post I saw on Ribbon Rock Star's blog. Apparently HGTV did a show on the 25 biggest decorating blunders - what a hoot! We don't do cable so I missed it but they have posted them online with pictures and all! It's a must see! Hurry on over and check it out them come back and spill your blunders! Come on, I am sure we are all guilty of at least one. And just to be fair I will go first.

*deep breath* Ok, I'm ready............. My name is Megan and I have commited some decorating blunders. (the crowd falls silent) But this is a non-judging and safe environment right???? ha ha - ok back on track here!

Sadly - we have a toilet rug - BUT only in 1 of the three bathrooms - so it's not all that bad right????

I definately have an undressed foyer which I am trying to rectify but haven't found the right pieces of furniture yet - the search continues.....

and the fake flowers - *sigh* - I really try to NOT have alot. I definately prefer dried, fresh and natural stuff but old habits and convience are hard to break. I did see the Oprah episode with Nate where he said - NO FAKE FLOWERS - anywhere - ever! I felt a twinge of guilt and embarrassment but then I got over it! ha! Hey, we all do what we can do and afford right??? ;)

So that's all I am revealing about myself *snicker* - now just to make me feel better - tell me yours!!! (insert evil laugh here) Muwahhahahaha!

DIY Fridge magnets and pushpins - tutorial

(Be sure to upload your photos from trying this project into the Brassy Apple Projects Flickr group!)

I love taking fabric and using it on other fun crafting projects besides just sewing or what you would typically expect. I have several projects I have done over the last couple of months and thought I would share them with you! So if you - or your kids - are itching for a little DIY project, here's a great one for the whole family!



Fridge magnets and pushpins



step 1: gathering the supplies - you will need largecrafting "bubbles" with one side that is flat. You can use any size you like. Magnets - make sure your magnets are large enough to support the size of your bubbles. If they are too small the finished magnet will slowly slide down your refrigerator when you try to use it to actually hold any papers. Small pushpins with a flat head if possible. Craft glue - I prefer E600 - it's great for many projects, is clear and dries fast too. And then of course your fabrics or patterned scrapbooking type papers if you don't have fabrics on hand. Scissors, and something to trace with - I like using a fabric marker. Fusible interfacing or fusible fleece - optional.

Step 2: Layout your fabrics and place your bubbles
over top moving it around until you find a pattern that you like. Cut around the pattern in a small square and continue with as many fabrics and patterns for the magnets that you want to make. Optional step: Fuse interfacing or fleece to the back of your precut squares on the wrong side of the fabric. This will give the back of your magnets a finished look and keep the fabric from fraying when you cut it and use your magnets.





Step 3: Trace around your bubble and cut out your circle. Repeat with all your cut squares.














Step 4: Using a toothpick, squeeze out some glue and use the toothpick to apply it to the right side of your fabric. Place a nice medium sized glop in the center of the circle. Take your bubble and place it on top of the glue and press firmly and evenly down. The glue will race for the outside edges - be sure to push out any or as many glue bubbles as you can. Set aside to dry and repeat until finished.

Step 5: Using craft or hot glue adhere
your magnets to the back and place them right side up to dry. Remember to use a large enough magnet for the size of your craft bubble.

Step 6: Once dry they can dot your fridge, metal file cabinet, etc. Another great idea is to place them in a small container like an altoids tin, wrap it up with some ribbon and you have a great personalized gift to give away! Enjoy!

Push pins

To make push pins for your bulletin board simple
use the smaller size craft bubbles and follow steps 1 - 4 as outlined above. Then, instead of gluing a magnet to the back glue a flat headed push pin. Set pin side up to dry.

If you give this project a try be sure to let me know, send pictures or blog about it too and post the link so we can all check out your handwork!

Down on the farm

What a fun week with 2 trips to 2 different pumpkin patches! The first was a fieldtrip with my little guys preschool and the second was just some good ole' family time! I loved being in the colors, sights, smells and feel of the season. By "feel" I mean cold - and although I despise being cold, it wasn't so bad when you're trudging through a pumpkin patch with a tiny hand in yours as you search for the perfect pumpkin. Here's a few photos I'd thought I'd share from our 2 different pumpkin adventures.

and round two the whole family - this day was NOT nearly as chilly as the first ;)

I hope you are enjoying your October! Now that we have the pumpkins we better to get to carving them before Halloween night!

Jingle Bell Rockin' it this year!

LOL!!! Here it is! The sneaky peek I posted about last weekend has debuted! The ladies of the Roxy & Rocco design group asked me to join them for thier "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree launch on ebay and my theme was the song Jingle Bell Rock. I created a funky "rockin" 3 piece outfit with my mosaic jeans, applique shimmery tee and hat! Bren modeled for me and she completely nailed.........or should I say "rocked"the photoshoot! The pictures are soo fun! You can see more of Becca's work on her website or catch up with her daily happenings on her blog too!

You can find this auction HERE

I've listed a bunch of other auctions too as I started to clear out and make room for my 2008 designs!


Many have NO RESERVE, low starting prices, are last chance designs - like my LAST Owl handbag , or modeled items. Plus another chance at my Hannah Montana Jeans!



Here's are few more cutie shots from the team of Brenandcompany!

SPC Food ~ week 4 ~ Rounds of goodness

There are certain things you look to forward to having or you "save" for special occasions and only cook/buy them a few times a year. One of those things for me is these small, scrumptious, sugary coated, homemade donuts. yummmmmmm. They sell them at a pumpkin patch we have visited for the last 2 years and I look forward to getting some when we go. They always serve them warm and they just melt in your mouth and fill you with warmth as the chilly air starts to set in.

for most challenge pictures look here

Do you want to know what coming next????

This week has been CRAZY busy and I'm just glad that as it comes to an end my head is actually above water. :) whew! I'm going to have some new items listed next week - think Holidays - for children and YOU of course!

I'll also be clearing out some more of my modeled sets/designs including my recent Hannah Montana jeans!

If you want to know when I list my new designs or have a sale/giveaway the BEST way is to join my mailing list! **** I will be giving the members of my mailing list a special discount on all my new items next weeks as well! ****So if you want to be "in the know" ;) and also cash in on some EXTRA savings just type in your email address in the "newsletter" box and click go! Several items will have Buy it now prices on Ebay and will go fast! Also, my DIY kits have been selling out the day they get listed too! Don't miss out on those either!

and just to entice you I added alittle sneak peek photo of one of the new designs coming! tee hee hee

Tell her you love her

As a mother of a daughter I just can't help but share these. Some have been saved in a my favorites for a long time now and few have just been added. Embrace your daughters this weekend and let them know how special they. Help them to see and know what REAL BEAUTY is. My favorite that my daughter likes to watch with me is called True Colors.

Another good one is the The Evolution of Beauty. And Dove's newest one is called Onslaught which is such a good reminder for us as women too just how much STUFF we AND our kids are bombarded with each day.

A friend recently gave me a neat "list" of things to remember. It's called Raising Confident Girls:

1. Love her for who she is.
2. Let her know she's worth your time
3. Help her stand firm in knowing her value.
4. Make sure she knows she belongs
5. Give her choices.
6. Communicate
7. Never compare her to others
8. Be impressed by her
9. Stengthen her heart, don't thicken her skin
10. Make it safe to make mistakes
11. Let her achievements be her own

Gift Certificates

Need a quick gift? have someone on your list hard to buy for? Want to give your husband alittle help with an idea for YOU???? How about a Gift Certificate from CreativeOutletDesigns.com!

Perfect for Birthdays, Mother's day, Christmas, for girlfriends, your sister, etc. and YOU! They come in several amounts and can be emailed for a quick delivery or I will Mail a special certificate and card to whoever you want for whatever occasion! You can even include a special personalized message! Whose on YOUR list this year?

Switching gears now, just wanted to give a shout of THANKS to a few blogs that have featured some of my designs recently. Kiddlins featured my Hannah Montana Jeans on their site - thank you! A new blog - Apron a day - started by my Canadian girlfriend - spotted my reversible owl apron, and the Adagio Bleu blog has the sweetest things to say about my Holiday Apron! Stop by and check out all these fun blogs and tell them I sent ya! (wink)

Have you had your "Sampler" today?

What a wonderful box full of goodies and surprises! I've been trying for months to snag one from The Sampler. If you haven't heard of this yet it's worth checking out from the buyers perspective and the independent designer/company too! ;)

They collect "samples" of products from companies all over the place. Everything from soaps, magazines, jewerly, buttons, fabric, notepads, etc, etc, etc. FUN, unique stuff! They go on sale on the website on a scheduled day at 2 different scheduled times and they sell out SOOOO fast! This last month they were able to create more "sampler boxes" than before making more available on selling day and I was FINALLY able to snatch one up! It arrived this weekend and I've been "sampling" ever since. Opening lots of small packages, discovering new items, designers and checking out really cool websites too! Plus alot of the samples have special discount codes included too! Thanks Sampler!

The Magic of the Mary Poppins Bag

Who Doesn't love the "Practically Perfect in Everyway" Nanny with her fair complexion, beautiful voice and magical touch or spin on the everyday task or chores? I had the chance yesterday to have a bit of her "magic" on a one day road trip I went on with my Mom and youngest Sister.


The Mary Poppins Bag is a fun way to help your kids when you travel. It helps make the trip magical and fun with surprises all along the way! We rode in my Sisters car and this was an idea she had just learned about and was eager to try. I am anxious to put my own Magical Bag together and give it a whirl with my kids too!


Her Mary Poppins Bag was complied for my neice age 2 and my little guy age 3. But before you start to collect your fun items for your bag you need to create your "travel time line".


1. Your Travel Time line will hang between the windows of your back seat and be a visual ROAD MAP from your beginning point to your final destination. Find a piece of string, yarn, ribbon, etc. She used Bias Tape and it
worked great!!!! Measure the width of your car - giving yourself a some extra slack room on each side and cut. Round up some clothespins, papers, markers, tape or glue. Pick out cities, monuments, large landmarks, etc along the route of your trip - evenly spaced away from each other if you can. Cut small pieces of paper or cardstock out and write these places on them. Tape or glue the paper to the clothespin. The amount of places you pick along the way depends on the length of your trip and the age of your children. Smaller children may need more while older ones may be able to wait longer inbetween. When you are ready to go you will roll down the windows a bit and slip in your string/ribbon on each side, pulling it tight so it will be straight and out of the way off passengers.


2. The fun begins! Prepping your Mary Poppins Bag!!!! You will need to find a large "carpet" bag. Not really, but a good large bag is Key. It would be nice if this bag was specifically reserved for this purpose as well. This bag needs to be filled with fun snacks, toys, games, books and other items that your kids will get to discover along their trip! As you reach each clothespin destination something else gets brought out of the Mary Poppins bag! The more excited you are about it the more your kids will be too! Make sure you are the one pulling the items out of the bag. We don't want to ruin the surprise of the next item for the kids. **PLUS, you also take down that clothespin and your children can "SEE" how far you have already gone on your travel timeline.**

She stocked her bag with a few key items. The first one was she took 2 pillowcases and a plastic serving tray and hot glued the tray to the pillowcase. When we hit our first destination the trays emerged from the bag and she stuff a pillow into the pillow case. Now the kids had a lap tray for other fun activities through the rest of the trip. We also gave them from fruit snacks on their trays as this time and engaged them in a color sorting game and counting too. They loved it! The next clothespin destination they received a coloring page and some crayons. The trays worked great for this because the raised edge kept the crayons from rolling off the end and getting lost in the car.



Here's a few more ideas for your Mary Poppins Bag:



Snacks - crackers, cheese sticks, etc

treats - sweet ones like candy, suckers, etc

juice boxes

books

coloring book - with tear away pages b/c they don't really need the whole book to themselves

crayons

book on tape/CD

file folder games

small toys like dolls, cars, action figures

dry erase board - you can easily create a dry erase surface with some contact paper and cardstock

some sing-a-long CD's - get the family involved in singing, actions to the words, etc

movie

puzzles

crosswords/word search

handheld electronic game

binoculars - my kids love playing with these

travel bingo game

etc

etc

etc



the possibilites are endless! Tailor your bag to the age and preference of your Children! You can add to the excitement of your snacks too by placing them in a
brown paper sack and not allowing your child to look into the bag - just reach in and pick out one item. We did this with our "sucker treats" bag. What you get is what you get! Then we challenged them to see who could suck on it the longest and make it last. Little things for little ones can be sooo exciting and fun! And they will surprise you with their creativity of the items you give them. Plain ole' suckers became a fun game of "CHEERS" between the two of them which produced lots of giggles, smiles and good memories.

Gap Casting Call

In case you hadn't heard yet, The Gap is holding a casting call! Is your child the next star of The Gap? Well I don't know but it's sure fun to give it a try right?

Finalists receive:
A trip to San Francisco for a Gap photo shoot
A babyGap or GapKids wardrobe
A KODAK Gallery prize package
A children’s book collection courtesy of O, The Oprah Magazine
The chance to see their photo in Gap store windows across the country

How cool is that!!!! So upload a photo and enter today!

Dishin' it! What's the scoop today???

I'm a daily reader of the "daily dish" on Boutiquecafe.com. It's a fun way to find out about great products, fun sites and the unique items too!!! PLUS - sometimes the companies featured will offer a special discount or giveaway to the Boutiquecafe daily dish readers.

Right now you can win a Heavenly Hostess Apron and a child's Fashionista Set from Iced Couture just by leaving a comment in the appropriate section on their site! How fun and a perfect time too!!!

On the flip side - it's also a great way for some extra added exposure as a designer or owner of a company too!!! Contact them today if you are interested in finding out more about how snag a feature!

Hannah Montana and Mini "owl" Collection

WHooooOOOO can resist all those cute owls and other birds that are so hot this season! I found some owl themed fabrics that I really related too with my type of style and create a little mini collection. All items are currently available on Ebay! I've created an outfit for girls with my own handrawn tree pattern. I just love that little owl tucked inside the tree! I've also created a few items for YOU as well! My first Mosaic handbag - TA DA!!! I love the bold, clean, crisp look on the one side but flip it over and it's fun, eclectic and funky! Following that theme, I've also created an apron that does double duty! It's reversible ladies!!!!! So whatever your mood or project, you'll have a handbag AND an apron to suit those needs.

And last but not least! Do you have a Hannah Montana fan in your household? Someone who aspires to be "ROCKSTAR" and loves to sing? I've got the jeans for you!!!! Since debuting my High School Musical jeans, I've had a few requests for "hannah montana please" and here they ARE!!!! She'll definately feel like superstar material in these! There's LOADS of details and lots to look at! Be sure to check these out too! Snatch her up a pair for the concert or for a christmas or birthday gift too!

You can see all my current by clicking here as well.

SPC - wk 2 - Cookie snack

I'm definately lovin' the Food theme this month on Self Portrait Challenge. Thanks to Andrea for picking my week 1 photo and posting it on the site.

Now onto week 2! I'm constantly trying to keep my little guys belly full! He has been that way since birth - Just loves to eat. Yesterday we shared a little dessert after lunch of milk and cookies. He had fun being in a "photoshoot" with Mom as he calls it. I captured several fun candid shots as we dunked our cookies and watched them float in the milk too! *snicker*

for more food themed photos this month, visit SPC

Refill anyone???? - DISCOUNT CODE

Have you already purchased my Decoupage Jeans ebook or one of my DIY kits and don't need the instructions but still want the fabric combinations I have put together?? I have just the deal for you!!!! When purchasing other DIY kits from my website I am pleased to offer the following - Enter the coupon code "refill" to get $7.00 off the price of your DIY kit! - valid only for DIY kits -

After a few customer requests for more DIY fabric kits because they love my eye for putting combinations together and/or don't have access to a fabric shop nearby at all, I thought this might be a good solution and way of saying thanks for your repeat business. I've just listed some Halloween kits too! Just in time to snatch them up for a party, costume or a gift.

Accessorize - SALE!!!!!

I've been organizing, clearing out and gearing up for Holiday sales and I need to move some inventory! All the items in my "Accessorize" category are on sale and each one is perfect for this time of year and more! Snatch one up as a gift for you or for someone else!

Wordless Wednesday - Milk Bubbles

For more Wordless Wednesday photos - click here and here

The Mom Song

In case you missed this yesterday on Yahoo it is HILARIOUS and worth taking the time to watch! A comedian has taken everything a Mom says in a 24 hour period, put it in a song and condensed it down to just over 2 minutes! Enjoy!