Happy Friday!

It's Friday!!! Weekend is here...and as it is the second Friday, this also happens to be Ceili night in Salem! :) (a Ceili is an Irish music & dance celebration...and I help organize and run them locally) ...so my day is to be filled with errands and prep work, but don't let you think that means I don't have crafting on my mind...

I stopped in at Jo-Ann's last night, inspired by a 40% coupon burning a hole in my pocket and picked up this lil number...

Now, I have taken the pledge to go handmade this season...I am trying to make all my gifts, or buy handmade gifts (tho I will admit, each of my kids will be getting one thing not-so handmade). When I went to the store, I intended on picking up a scrapbook mag...but then I saw this and I couldn't resist...it is filled with some of the most fun and functional projects! If you are a sewer, and especially if you wanna go handmade this holiday season, I so recommend getting this magazine! It is so worth it...filled with ideas, and patterns (even full size patterns for a few different skirts! WAY COOL!!!)

I wish I could be sewing right now, by responsibilities call (read: 3 1/2 year old wanting a snack)...but watch this space cause I will be sharing the projects I make with you here, and I hope I can help inspire you to go handmade this season, too!

Clearly UNfocused

For the past few months, I have been completely unfocused...all over the place...running in everywhich direction...but that, I have actively decided, needs to change...and I am taking charge of this unfocus!

It's a holiday today...and the kids are off school, which usually means a busy house, but it is quiet here right now (knock on wood!!!)...one is at a friends, one sleeping, and the smallest is glued to SpongeBob (one of her bff's ;)) I'm taking advantage of this moment to re-evaulate things as they are and making a "to do" list...one that puts creativity into motion...and at the forefront!

I got a wild hair this morning...but I can't share it yet...it is just in the "inspiration" mode, but it came after visiting my friend Julie Overby's blog...she was just awarded the 3rd Fiskateer of the Year award...and it is so well deserved! She trained me as a Fiskars Certified Demonstrator, and when my life turned completely upside down a couple months ago, she sent me a card and way cool Rusty Pickle shirt to cheer me up :) She is a sweetheart...and I am so glad to have her as a friend! So I just wanted to congratulate her here...and thank her for the inspiration...a pick me up I really needed!

More later...
:)

Are you there? I am...all over the place!

Ok, so I haven't been here in far too long...I haven't been crafting tho, although really, that IS no excuse. Life has completely got the better of me lately...so instead of juggling, I just need to do the balancing act ;) So I am here...and there...and over there, too.

I have 2 blogs, the other has more dust on it than here tho, so I am going to be combining the two...and actually just having this one blog for everything...crafting, sewing, scraping...LIFE! Everything!

With that said...let me share a lil something...my family situations changed a couple months ago and it was completely turned upside-down, but either its turned back around, or I've turned upside-down, too...because things are starting to look like they should ;) I'm now working 2 "consistent" jobs (still doing freelance design work tho)...but I am finally getting paid to do what I have been doing for the past 13 years...community activism, non-profit work, cultural outreach! Then...adding to that...I got what (second to being a lead Fiskateer) is my dream job...I am working at the library!!!!! WOOO HOOOO!!! Today, I created media materials (poster, voucher, bookmarks) to help market library programs :) Ok, so I love my job! :)

It is the last Irish dance class tonight...I am going to miss dancing on Tuesday! But, at least it will give me more time to devote to my schooling...cause I am taking 13 credits right now...and have my hands full with that, too! But I was given a grant to go to school so I couldn't really say no, especially since this will be my last year in this program before I can move on...and I will be 1 step closer, and only 1 set away, from my Masters degree!!!

So yeah, I haven't been doing much crafting (although I did sew 30 blankets a few weeks ago!!!!), but I anticipate this changing soon since I am taking a handmade pledge for this holiday season! :) I hope some of you will think about making that pledge too...

I'll be around...and hopefully posting again soon! Thanks for your patience...and support! :)

honoured to be honourably mentioned

Well, I didn't win...but I got an honourable mention :)

http://www.craftwarehouse.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=222&Itemid=184

BUT...my friend Julie in Waldport won!!! SO WOOOO HOOOO Julie!!!! WTG!

AND....I was in Portland yesterday for the An Damhsa show and it rocked!! Maldon and everyone did such a great job! So cool...so inspiring!!!!

Thank you!

a short post...

Just wanted to thank everyone/anyone who votes for me in the Craft Warehouse scrapbook contest! They will be announcing the winners at each of the stores on Saturday at 1...but alas, I cannot be present :( Disappointing, but I will be on my way somewhere fun...

My Irish dance teacher is putting on a show in Portland...

2pm, Sat Sept. 6, 2008
An Damhsa: Irish Dance Show
Friendly House Community Center
1737 NW 26th Avenue, Portland, OR

Featuring music, dance and song
Irish Sean-nos, Irish Step, Irish Set
Cape Breton, Tap, Clogging and Modern Dance

Live Music by:
Johnny Connolly (accordion), Cary Novotny (guitar, vocals)
Hanz Araki (flute, vocals, bodhran), Dale Russ (fiddle)

Dancing:
Maldon Meehan (Portland), Kieran Jordan (Boston)
Shannon Dunne (DC), Alicia Guinn (Seattle)
Maldon Meehan Dancers, Ceili of the Valley Dancers, Seattle Sean-nos Dancers

Narration: Robert Deans

This show is funded in part by the Regional Arts & Culture Council

Tickets are only $7
On sale at:
http://ticketsoregon.com/index.php?event_id=112

If you have a minute...at least visit http://www.MaldonMeehan.com

Ugh...BIG HUGE FAVOR!!!!!

Ok...so I entered a scrapbook layout in a contest...and I need votes to win...

It is through Craft Warehouse...you have to register to vote...but once you register you can vote immediately, and then never go to the site again if you want...but I would LOOOOOOOOOOVE it if you would help me with this cause I don't have any $ (which is why I haven't been posting...I am in pending divorce :/ but that is a blog post for another time...and maybe another place?!) and the prize is a $250 gift card for supplies :) hehe (and there is another $250 for a grand prize winner...so it could be $500 in all!!!)

My layout is in the gallery under 2008 Scrapbook Queen Contest» Salem store entries

http://72.3.135.178/index.php?option=com_ponygallery&func=detail&id=383&Itemid=102

It's called Vans Warped Tour...and uh, is a page I made about the show last year :)

If you vote...post here and let me know! I'd love to share the love and rak you in return!

THANK YOU!!!!

xox

Carlee

Sooo flattered!!!!!

Just when I think that I ramble for myself...I got the sweetest msg from a Fiskateer Friend...and she nominated my blog for an award!!!!

Thank you Missy!!!
(more on this soon!)