Vampires and Puzzles, Oh My!

Saturday was apparently another very festive day in our household. I came downstairs, after cleaning The Boy's bathroom to find him like this!

Can you guess what he is going to be for Halloween? We found his costume for $13 at Rite Aid Pharmacy. We still have to get him black pants, white dress shirt, fangs and face paint. I was very surprised to find him all dressed up already. I guess he's getting into the Halloween spirit!

While I was in the process of making the Pumpkin Poop and Pixie Tricks (check my post from yesterday to find out what I'm talking about, ) The Boy wanted to join in on the crafting fun.

Here are some of the things he made:

Can you solve his puzzle? He even made candy treat bags to give to someone who solves it. He was so proud, because he used my tape gun to "permanently" close the treat bags.

So if you can't solve the puzzle just let me know and I'll give you the answer. The BF guessed it right away and the next morning next to his alarm clock he found a mysterious bag of candy, for getting the answer correct. It was so cute and funny! You had to be there, no really!

He also made this:

I'm not sure what he plans to do with it once it dries, but I thought it was cute.

What were you and your little ones up to this weekend?

Don't forget to link up all of your arts and crafts projects, in the Smell the Coffee Lisa - Craft Swap.

What do you get when you mix Pumkin Poop and Pixie Tricks?

Spooktacular Halloween Treats.

Yeah I said pumpkin poop, so what! I mean didn't you ever read that book, Everyone Poops? Read the poem and you'll understand why this year we will not be carving our pumpkins. We'll be "felting" them instead. I can't wait for you all to see how spooktacular they turn out.

This week I'm getting straight to the point, leaving out all the unnecessary TALKY TALKY, that I tend to do. Who am I kidding. PAAALEASE!!

Making it's first debut on Smell the coffee Lisa, I now present to you:

PUMPKIN POOP

I Googled "Pumpkin Clip Art" to find the cute little pumpkin logo and then just copied and pasted it into Microsoft Word. I then pulled the cute poem from Organized Christmas, and typed into the Word document. I used my neighbor D's funky scissors to cut out the poem and just used my glue tape to tape it onto the cut (I cut it up myself with regular scissors) orange poster board I purchased from Walmart for $.57. The yummy Pumpkin Poop found inside the pumpkin designed treat bags (I had these left over from the Halloween Treat boxes) are no other than Reeses Pieces. Can you say YUM? I think the Boys ate more of the candy then I actually used to make the project.

I made a total of 5 of these.

The plan is for me to make all the kids trick or treat bags. There are 5 kids, all boys (My son, his brother, RJ the neighbor and my two nephews.) Sheesh I hope I'm not leaving anyone out. I hate that feeling, like when you are forgetting something or someone. Anyway, I can't give the kids empty trick or treat bags, that would be just wrong. So inside each of the bags they will find their Halloween Treat boxes, Mummy Gum, Pumpkin Poop and these cool Pixie Tricks (all these items can be found on my blog, click on Halloween under labels on my left side bar) you're about to see. Who knows what else will be inside the treat bags.

I don't know this is all I've made so far.

Now without further ado, I now present to you:

Pixie Tricks (Yeah I thought of these all by myself, can you believe that? I'm serious, I didn't steal it from anyone. Okay maybe an idea here or there, but not one specific place.)

I purchased a bag of Pixie Sticks from Walmart and I actually bought the cute tags I glued to the pixie sticks off ebay, 30 for $2. I would have made them but I don't own the cute flower punch and neither does D my neighbor. Anyway both sides of the pixie sticks have a different Halloween picture on it. The orange ribbon, I believe I purchased from Walmart and had on hand. The green jar The BF had sitting in the garage.

Being the genious that I am, I thought for now, until I put these in the kids treat bags, I'd use the jar and left over Reeses Pieces to make a cute table centerpiece. Now if I can just keep The Boy from eating all the Reeses Pieces, this display might actually last a week or two

I wish I had more of the cute cut outs, I don't think 15 of them are enough.

Just in case you were wondering, I'm totally taking donations so I can purchase my own paper punches. I've found them for $13.95 each on ABC Distributing, plus you have to pay shipping. Let me know if you'd like my pay pal information to make a donation. LOL

So that's all I've got for this weeks Halloween Spooktacular. Coming up next week, a Spooky Halloween Tree (I've already picked my branches). Now if I could just find some cheap miniature Halloween ornaments before the end of the week. Any suggestions? If not it will be a Spooky Ghost Tree!

Oh what the heck, one more photo for good measure.


You all come back now you hear!

TODAY I AM GUEST POSTING ON FRUGAL MOM KNOWS BEST!! YUP GO CHECK OUT HER BLOG FOR CREATIVE CRAFTS, GREAT GIVEAWAYS AND FRUGAL BUYS!!

Don't forget to link up all of your arts and crafts projects, in the Smell the Coffee Lisa - Craft Swap />

Tuesday's Football Tracker Week Four! - Playing for a Cause and a GROOLER!

Whomever said football was just a sport where guys run around pouncing on each other was, well half right.

I was surprised to see a bunch of over grown strong, tight butt men wearing bright pink shoes, gloves, hats and arm bands while playing this weekend. All the teams where playing for a cause, the fight against BREAST CANCER.

I thought it was so wonderful to see them supporting women's "RACKS", so that our children and our children's children possibly won't ever have to even know what breast cancer is.

This weekend San Francisco also hosted the THREE DAY WALK, for the fight against breast cancer. After hearing the local radio station talk about it for months and months, I really think this is something I want to look into next year. They raised 4 Million dollars during this 60 mile 3 day walk. Each walker had to raise $2300 just to participate. It was an emotional walk for everyone, as it should be, they are saving the lives of our Mothers, Daughters, Grandmothers and well ourselves!

See, for all you who don't watch football, there really is more to it then men tackling other men in tight pants.

So now the weekend review:

In my household, it was A SAD ONE! I don't even want to talk about how badly the Seahawks were beat. The cowboys, although they did much better than the Seahawks, they just couldn't pull out the win either. BOOOOO. Hey there is always next week!

SO DID YOU VOTE?

The WINNER of the MONDAY NIGHT game, week four was........

Minnesota Vikings. Boooo YAAAAA, I'm on a role with this whole voting thing. My guess for Purple was, of course a huge success. What a GAME. Favre was playing his old team and boy do they hate each other. It was back and forth at first, but Brett's determination not to retire before the end of the game, pushed him through to a hard earned and very deserving win! Brett played for 16 or 17 years on Green Bay, so you can imagine how badly he wanted to win. The best part, he didn't retire.

Did you vote? Did you pick the winner?

Now who will WIN WEEK FIVE? Dun, Dun, Dun!!!!!

Monday October 12, 2009 - Week Five!

NEW YORK JETS VS MIAMI DOLPHINS - Playing in Miami!

I'm going to have to go with Miami on this one, sorry NY fans!

SO HOW DID YOUR TEAM DO? Do you watch college or the NFL or both? I want to hear from you. If you don't watch football, what are your thoughts on the teams wearing pink? Will you watch now, knowing footballs not just all about, well football?

If not, after reading this article, you may change your mind about football!! Sometimes it's not all about the money or the love of the game!

http://www.nesn.com/2009/09/nfl-players-wearing-pink-gear-for-breast-cancer-awareness.html

The New York Times writes that players will be sporting pink cleats, gloves, sweatbands and towels. The idea for the pink spikes came from Carolina's DeAngelo Williams, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. Her three sisters died from the disease.

Early detection is the goal of the NFL's "A Crucial Catch" program, which will auction off the items worn by players and coaches and donate the proceeds to the American Cancer Society.

The idea has caught on, too. Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco, who showed football fans his human side during HBO's Hard Knocks this summer, wrote on his Twitter page that he is excited about the idea.

He said that he'd be wearing all pink shoes, gloves, wrist bands, chinstrap and mouthpiece. He also said that he plans to wear the gear throughout the entire month of October and expects to be fined, but that he will match any fine with a donation.

You go Ochocinco, even if you did legal change your name to your football uniform number. You use to be filed under strange and crazy in my book. Now you are filed under "Alright Crazy dude."

FOOTBALL COMMERCIAL! It's the grooler. The BF actually wants one of these. You know you do to!!

http://

Don't forget to link up all of your arts and crafts projects, in the Smell the Coffee Lisa - Craft Swap.

Swap your crafts - OCTOBER EDITION

I've come up with a new fun monthly blogger swap.

SWAP YOUR CRAFTS!!

Here are the rules:

1) Create a post and place a picture of a HOMEMADE craft you'd like to swap with another crafter.
2) Place the cute little "Smell the coffee Lisa - Presents Swap your crafts" Button (located on my right side bar) in your post and if you are really nice on your blog.
3) Link up to Mr. Linky, posted on Smell the Coffee Lisa
4) Visit the blogs of the crafters who have linked up
4) If you see a craft you like, leave them a comment with a link to your post so they can see if they want to swap their craft for yours.
5) Swap your craft (literally mail your craft to the other crafter)
6) Once your craft has been swapped, please remember to UPDATE your post saying "I've been Swapped" and a link to the person you've swapped with.

THAT'S it, very simple!!

So lets start SWAPING!

WHO WANTS TO SWAP WITH ME?

SWAP ENDS OCTOBER 31st, THE NEXT SWAP WILL BEGIN NOVEMBER 1st!

You can choose anyone of these fantastic homemade chalkboards. Yes they have hooks on the back so you can hang them!

Oh YEAH BABY!! You know you want one!! Which one will be delivered to you in the mail?


Now show me what you got! Don't forget to LINK UP!!

Mod Podge, Schmod Podge

So I've been seeing this Mod Podge stuff everywhere. It's like the new black, or I just haven't been around you crafters long enough to know the deal!

So I had to, of course, GOOGLE this supposedly godly treasure that everyone keeps using and blogging about!

So here is what I found, courtesy of http://www.plaidonline.com/apmp.asp#ModPodgeBrands:

History of Mod Podge

The inventor of Mod Podge, Jan Wetstone, first developed Mod Podge in the 1960s in her garage. The name of this now-famous mixture came from the term "Modern Decoupage." She tested it on all kinds of surfaces; she even decoupaged a Volkswagen Beetle using bed sheets!

Over the years, Mod Podge has grown to become a favorite of crafters everywhere, including Martha Stewart, Rosie O'Donnell and Creative Juice television show co-hosts, Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenze.

Types of Mod Podge

Classic Mod Podge - The original Mod Podge formula that’s a glue, sealer and finish all in one! Use this crafting favorite to decoupage almost anything on wood, glass, terra cotta, metal, canvas and more, then seal with a top coat of Mod Podge. Projects dry to a protective matte or gloss finish. Available in multiple sizes to suit any project including a gallon bottle for group projects or classes.

Satin Finish Mod Podge - The same great performance and versatility of original Mod Podge in a Satin finish. Projects dry to a soft-to-the-touch finish with a subtle sheen. Perfect for home décor projects such as picture frames, wall or door plaques, decorative boxes and more. Available April 2007.
Brushstroke Mod Podge - Enhance projects with a textured finish! New Brushstroke Mod Podge is a top coat finish with a highly visible, dimensional texture. Simply apply over posters, prints or to decoupaged canvas projects for an artistic look that’s an affordable alternative to genuine painted wall art. Available in matte or gloss. Available April 2007.

Fabric Mod Podge - Embellish wearables, linens and home décor like never before! Decoupage with Fabric Mod Podge! Specially formulated to adhere fabric to fabric or paper to fabric, Fabric Mod Podge expands your creative projects to include a variety of textile surfaces. Customize a denim jacket or jazz up a ready-made pillow or tablecloth in minutes-- you’ll have made something truly unique.

Paper Mod Podge - An acid-free formula that is friendly to paper crafting! Paper Mod Podge is perfect to use when decoupaging paper-to-paper and to keep photographs and papers from yellowing.Extend the life of your memory, cardmaking, scrapbooking and altered art projects with Paper Mod Podge.

Outdoor Mod Podge - Protect your projects from moisture and other outdoor elements with Outdoor Mod Podge. This specially formulated Mod Podge provides a water-resistant finish so projects stay as beautiful as the day you made them. Use on wood, tin, terra cotta, slate and more. Perfect for creating decorative accessories for your door, front porch or patio.

Sparkle Mod Podge - Add glitz and glimmer to any decoupage project with Sparkle Mod Podge. This formula has the all-purpose performance of original Mod Podge with the added bonus of sparkle. A fun and festive touch to jewelry, fashion accessory or holiday projects.

Puzzle Saver Mod Podge - Preserve a favorite puzzle with Mod Podge Puzzle Saver™. Fun and easy to use, this formula secures your puzzle pieces together and provides a protective topcoat. A great way to use completed puzzles for wall art or other decorative uses.

Mod Podge Glitter -Mod Podge Glitter offers the same great Mod Podge formula with a glitter finish! Metallic sheen show up great on dark surfaces.

Glow-in-the-Dark Mod Podge - Create fun, glowing crafts for a child’s room, Halloween, science fair projects and other imaginative creations! Glow-in-the dark pigments add a glow effect to your favorite decoupage surface- works well on wood, foam, paper mache and other surfaces.

WHAT THE?????

OMG, is that it? Are there not any more types of this Mod Podge stuff?

I mean seriously, if I was confused before about this stuff before, now I'm just totally lost about which one I need. Who would have thunk there would be so many different kinds. OH MY!!

SO WHICH ONE DO I BUY? What Mod Podge do you always have on hand? Isn't this a little bit crazy and totally cool all at the same time?

So I stole this picture from my Blogger Buddy, who actually inspired me to write this post, MIMI over at 4 Living In France.

She MADE THIS with her Mod Podge!! Oh yes she did, see, here is proof and everything!!!

http://4livinginfrance.blogspot.com/2009/09/mod-podge-mania-ive-been-waitin-for.html

I'm so going to get me some of this Mod Podge. Crafter buddies look out, I'm on a mission to make crafts as grand as MIMI's! I really don't think I can get grander then hers though!

WHAT HAVE YOU MOD PODGED LATELY? SO LINK UP and I Challenge you to visit 3 blogs above your name. If you are 1 thru 3 to link up, come back and visit 3 blogs!

**If you don't Mod Podge it's totally ok, then just link up with any of your favorite crafts**

**Feel free to send me any tutorials. UMM Yeah cause I'm not that crafty to figure out, once I buy this stuff, how to actually use it!!**

So MIMI said - Don't be scared to use, it's fool proof, anyone can use it!

So don't be afraid to try it people!

Happy Mod Podging!!

TEN THINGS ABOUT ME, Cause I have the Best Blog EVER, Cause I'm an Honest SCRAP!!!

Yes I am!!!

And Momma Such, thinks so too. Thank you very MUCH!! If you have not been to her blog, you have to check it out. I mean she is raising 4 boys!! I can barely keep up with the one boy I have! lol Just take my word for it and visit her blog, you won't be disappointed!! I promise!!

The Best Blog Award rules are:

1) To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great! Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.Wow, 15 other blogs...how fun!

Here goes...

15 blogs is a lot. OH Man, this could take all day to pick 15 of my most recent coolest Best Blogs ever!! I think all the blogs I read are the BEST!! I can't possibly pick just 15.

So I'm giving it to every blog to which I comment on. So If I comment on your blog, take this award.

YUP, It's yours. Because you know I only read the coolest, bestest blogs ever!!

I also won this great award, Honest Scrap, I am so blessed to have received it from Twenty Something Mama!! If you have not been to her site, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR. She writes the best posts ever and the pictures of her babies are to drool over!! Yes they are that cute, almost as cute as me. Which says a lot cause I'm like totally cute. Duh have you seen my pictures?

Anyway, here are the rules of this award:

Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.

Show the 7 winners' names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were given the "Honest Scrap."

List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

1) I have absolutely no patience for ANYTHING. Like you haven't noticed this already. I mean it's September and I've already got my blog decked out in Halloween! My Christmas shopping is usually completed the day after Thanksgiving as well as my tree purchased and decorated all before December even rolls around.

2) I love, love, love my hoodies, jeans and flip flops. Life doesn't get more comfortable than that!

3) I have 7 tattoos - lady bug on my top right foot, a 4 leaf clover on my top left foot. I have my sons name on my right ankle. I have a sun on the back of my neck. I have a butterfly on my lower back. I have a butterfly with the 4 rules I believe we all should live by on my right wrist (love, respect, order and reason) and I have a flame and Chinese symbol of beauty on my left wrist.

4) I've pierced my tongue 3 times (no not all at one time, 3 separate occasions) and I just recently let it close up again. This time I think for good. I've pierced my eyebrow 3 times, I haven't had any jewelry in it for years, but the hole is still there. I've pierced my nose twice, and I've still got that one in.

5) I'm addicted to change! Not money, but change in my life. I can never decided what I want or how I want things so I'm always changing it up. New cars every 3 years, changing my blog design or furniture in my house. Changing my hair color or cut and style. I love change!!

6) I love reading books, however admit that it is very difficult for me to find one that will hold my interest.

7) I have a problem with always needing to be stimulated and learning something new. I taught myself to sew and crochet thanks to You Tube. I've taken bartending classes, cake decorating classes and tax classes all for fun. I've yet to do anything with any of those certificates. Sold Mary Kay for like a month, I don't recommend anyone to do this. I've been working on a lot of crafts recently. Who would have thunk, me and crafts? I'm the least crafty and or creative person ever. It's fun though and I love it. What will my next learning adventure be? I don't know yet, but I'm sure when I figure it out, you'll all be the first to know.

8) I can't stand pee or poo on my carpets. It's why I don't have a dog or any other pet that can pee or poop on my carpet. I think it's disgusting and cringe when people say that their pets have had an accident in their house and think it's okay! YUCK!! Thank goodness my kitty is liter trained.

9) I have an addiction to cell phones. I'm always wanting the newest and greatest phone, but can never get it because I'm always stuck in some contract and refuse to pay $300 for a phone I'm probably going to drop or break anyway. I really want the new MY TOUCH, in white, by T-mobile. I love my Blackberry, don't get me wrong, however have you seen the My Touch!

10) I bite my finger nails. I can't help it. I've tried to stop many, many times but I can't. The tips of my finger start to tingle, it's a serious addiction I don't think I'll ever stop doing. Even when I put on fake nails, I bite those and eventually bite them off. I think it has to do with the fact that why I grow out my nails, I hate how they get all dirty or the white parts are not the same on each finger. It drives me nuts. But seriously if I don't but them my finger tips tingle. Sometimes I do it without even noticing.

So there are my 10 honest facts. Now off to give this award to 3 wonderful blogs!! Sorry I don't have time to award it to 7 people. However if you are crafty, feel free to take it cause you deserve it!!

Frugal Family Fun!- Out of all the blogs I read, she definitely deserves this award. She comes up with the craziest and what looks like funnest crafts ever to do with her daughter.

Mama Mel- As you know she makes the cutest little monkeys!! Did you see that wonderful quilt she made? Wow!!

In this Small House - A blog I've just recently found and growing to love. I love her witches hat! Check her out!!

Peace I'm outta here!!

What's your shirt say?

I just had to share this, because, well I think it's Classic! Hi Papa, say cheese!



What are your kids shirts saying?