I've Finally Got Something Worth Saying...

...so I'm gonna say it.  HA!  Really, to tell you the truth, it's just been very busy around these parts.  Not that all of you haven't been busy...I'm just sayin'.

For those of you who follow my crazy antics on Facebook, you probably know that we went to my hubby's sister's wedding last weekend.  A little bit of car trouble (a check engine light & a flat tire...just not all at once), a craft show:

some corn:

and a BEATUTIFUL ceremony.  It was a great weekend!

My sister-in-law and her new hubby OJ.  Congrats!

This past weekend was just as busy.  My busy little nephew Michael turned 5 on Sunday.  My sister threw him a cuper cute Halloween birthday party.  All his little friends from daycare came to celebrate:

(You can tell I am getting older when I start to twitch over 6 little five-year olds!)

We had witches and cowgirls...

...and Batman & soldiers...

...a Gladiator (this is Andrew...the "big" kid cousin)

...and a vampire!  Michael, you look so spooky!  Happy Birthday!

I love being the "crafty aunt."  I get to make cool little things for the kids.  And since Andrew is getting older, I take every opportunity I can.  I made these cute little owl-treat bags for the birthday kids:

I don't know about the kids, but I know the moms really loved them!  I borrowed the idea from here. 

Next, I getting ready to go away for a weekend scrap event in MA.  I haven't really worked on my own albums all year, and I think my family is starting to notice.  Andrew asked me if I was ever going to put together anymore Disney albums.  (We've been 11 times and I have one album completed.  Yikes!)  So, the plan is to make up kit packs & spend the whole weekend scrapping.  We'll see how much I get done...sometimes my need to socialize gets in the way!  Wish me luck!

Finally...Some New Goodies Listed On Etsy

Things have pretty much started to settle down...school is in full swing, hubby is back to work, and I am able to spend some time on my own crafty projects.  Today I listed a few goodies in my Etsy shop:

It's not too early to start thinking about the holidays!  How about this cute snowman photo holder?

The 1st day of fall is this Wednesday...these are just perfect for your autumn layouts or cards.

Deep red flowers for embellishing cards, pages, tags and more.

Cute lil' mini pumpkins!

Mini autumn colored flowers...super cute!

Ladybug embellishments for cards or pages.

And butterflies with beautiful pearl accents.

I've got more crafty items coming soon...so visit me again later this week to see what I've been up to!  Any special requests?  Let me know what I can create for you!



Changes

I enjoy this time of year when summer comes to a close and fall is right at our doorstep.  Truth be told, I like it when all of the seasons are changing from one to the next...the 1st snow fall, the 1st hint of spring, the 1st beachy-type day.  And while spring is my favorite season of all, fall comes in as a very close second.  The cool, crisp chill in the air, the colors of the leaves, the nutty smell in the air...I just love it all!  So, I tend to jump the gun a little and start to decorate my house for the season change Labor Day weekend...a time when most of us are pushing for that last little bit of summer.  So, as I was getting ready to change over my decor, I came upon these lovely little items from my friend Kim at Valley Primatives:

These lil pumpkins are just the cutest ever! 

And I have always loved her selection of framed stitchery.  (I think I own about 12 different ones.)

Kim does a fantastic job on her creations...I highly recommend her crafts if you love the "prim" look.  I can't tell you how excited I am when there is a box from her filled with country-prim goodies!  Thanks Kim.  She has started listing Christmas and winter items too, so be sure to check her out!

This weekend I had the opportunity to meet and work with some amazing women as we gathered for a retreat and convention to commit to "Acting Boldly" for God.  I am a part of the Women of the ELCA (the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) and our district, the New England W/ELCA gather every two years to recommit our faith and service.  Among the many women I had an opportunity to met, I connected with a powerful woman named Moloko, who is from South Africa.  In an instant she changed my life forever!  Words cannot express the way she impacted my life.  I am truly blessed to have met her, and sincerly hope that we will remain friends for a lifetime. 

My newest friend Moloko and my friend Sharon from my church.  Both of these women are amazing to me.

I urge all of my friends to take a moment to stop and reconnect with our higher power.  Whatever your personal beliefs are, stop and listen and breathe in peace.  If we all took a moment to do just that, our world would be a much better place.  I wish all of you a blessed day! ♥

I Need A Sign...

...that says "Schimanski General Store."  We've been busy canning...and canning...and canning some more.  I *almost* feel like a squirrel!  :)

Pickles...check.  Sauce...check.

Jams...check.  Fruit...check.  Applesauce...check.

It'll be so nice come the winter time when I can walk downstairs & grab a jar of somethin' tasty!

Then, after all of that, I've re-started my lil' sweatshop in the studio.  Now that things have calmed down, I can get back to my own craftiness.  Here's what I put together today:

Look for crafty-goodness coming soon!  I've got all KINDS of things up my sleeve!