Paris and Disneyland

The inside of the Notre Dame Cathedral. You can't even imagine how beautiful it is. Antique Market...Paul found a piece that he liked. On to Disney...Tate totally got the whole Disney thing and really had a "skip-the-nap-without-meltdown" good time. His favorite part of the day: The Mickey Winter Show, half in French and half in English.I want to live here:We lucked out and got a "kid suite", which included a little closet room shut off with a curtain (equipped with a kids tv). Tate kept kicking us out of it.

If you go to France...

...bring your kid's passport. They won't let you out of the country if your husband mistakenly grabs your second passport (i have 2) and you don't discover the mistake until you are on the way home.

Yep--stuck in Lillie, France with a confused child, too many bags than I could carry, and no French dictionary. Paul had to take the train to London, and come back the next day to get us.

Pics to come, and no, I'm not really complaining....we had a good trip aside from the customs craziness.

A Walk on a Rainy Day

And I finally finished my file folder scrapbook page:

I haven't posted too many pics of things I have been making, due to the fact that most things are holiday presents! I don't want to spoil the fun...

Have a great weekend.

Been Tagged--Random

I have been tagged by my friend, Deb...
5 Random things--I have done this one before, so I apologize if I repeat myself, but I still love doing "tags".

1. I love Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. I bought lots and lots before moving to the UK and I am almost out!!
2. I have flown planes, sold drugs (pharmaceuticals!) and taught teens before becoming a mom.
3. I admit to loving facebook for reconnecting with friends that I haven't seen in years. I have made new friendships with people that I knew before, but am enjoying them even more now.
4. I am contemplating whether or not to add to the family...
5. I want (kind of a lot) to learn to speak Spanish fluently.

If you read this and want to play, you are tagged.

Things I love OCT 08

1. The smell of homemade refried beans in my kitchen.

2. Roasting Pumpkin Seeds after Carving Pumpkins.

3. Having your kid put himself down for nap.

4. Cozy fall weather and that it gets dark early.

5. Playing online games with your family while you are far away from each other. (Mobster on myspace)

6. Finally feeling like a trip on the Tube (The Underground Subway) isn't a completely exhausting event.

What are you loving right now??

What's in your Purse?

Inspired by Elsie's blog, I emptied my purse and this is what you will find.

1. My bag--got it at Portabella Market for 2 pounds. I plan on embroidering something colorful on it at some point in the future.

2. Umbrella--always needed on even the sunniest day.

3. Chopsticks--Just purchased this weekend in Chinatown. I had 2 mismatched ones before and Tate borrowed them as drumsticks.

4. Pink Phone--coverage sucks, but I can't part with its cuteness.

5. Pink Wallet

6. Indestructable Target Sunglasses

7. Pink iPod

8. Little Notebook-Directions, Inspiration, phone numbers, etc

9. Puffs-for Tate's snotty little nose

10. Water-another essential item...you'd be surprised how thirsty you get walking everywhere.

11. Ziploc Bag with Extra Tate clothes

12. Gum

13. Hand Sanitizer

14. Lipglosses and Aquafor

Greenwich, Crafts and Cookies

This weekend we took a Boat Tour on the Thames from Westminster to Greenwich...as in the Greenwich Meridian. We went to the outdoor market there where I promptly buried my pack lunch in my bag in exchange for an awesome freshly made falafel.

We also found this unique game store of both the vintage and current variety.

Who doesn't love the feel of running your hand through a bunch of marbles??

.

My friend, Ladonna, and I went to a Craft Fair in the Somerset House. "Craft Fair" is a misleading title, considering the high end, extremely detailed works of art that we saw. They also had an interactive exhibit in the middle where you wrote your thoughts on gifting on a ribbon and added it to this huge structure.

I had to end the weekend by making these. I was inspired to try a new recipe. I tried the Williams-Sonoma sugar cookie recipe that uses cream cheese. OK tasting, but not as good as my standard recipe. The cookies keep their shape very well, which I guess is the trade off.

I'll post both recipes later, as I am too lazy to walk downstairs right now!

Our weekend with Thomas (the Tank Engine)

Amazing...I totally teared up. Now we are home snuggled in with the sniffles. I hope you are having a good week.

Oh, and my ATCs are ALMOST done, to all those I owe a card :)

ATC SWAP! ATC SWAP!!

My friend, Paula is hosting a Halloween/Thanksgiving ATC swap. Here is the link to find out more info. The deadline for mailing them to her is OCT 24!!

http://pclouse.blogspot.com/2008/10/atc-swap-and-funky-finds.html

Here is one of Paula's creations:

I personally can't wait. This is my first big swap.

Visit from Courtney

Sorry I haven't posted much this week. We had our friend, Courtney, in for a visit. We ran around all weekend, ending with a horrible trip to Ikea where everyone else in London had decided to go all on the same day. It was like Wal Mart at Christmas...

I did find these cool lights that are battery powered, though. You can put them anywhere.
I am loving the fall weather and hoping that we find a reason to dress up for Halloween. Still not sure if they trick-or-treat around here. What are you going to be for Halloween? (or your little ones?)

Art in Season Store!

Check this out:
http://www.artinseason.com/

My friend, Paula just opened her online shop!! She has the most wonderful altered art items themed for Halloween and autumn. I particular LOVE the "Love Potion #9 Wand" and all of the black glitter on the Halloween Paper Mache Houses.

Stop by and see!

London Scrap Conference-Peel Offs ARE cute!

I have written about peel offs in this post and many commented about how they can't imagine using this UK product, that I personally hadn't seen before I moved here. Here are few videos of some beautiful creations made with these weird little stickers.

A special thanks to my new friends, Kay and Suezie for sharing their creativity with us!

Also, I plan on hosting an ATC swap soon....I met some great ladies here who are excited to exchange with American crafters and their cards were lovely.

Needless to say, I had a great time.

Scrabble Tile Pendants

Have you heard of these?

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5757075

Very cool.

There are quite a variety on etsy.com and sooo cute.

Here's the "how-to":

http://www.squidoo.com/scrabbletiles#module9559760

Calgon Take Me Away

(For those UK readers, there was this commercial for bubble bath called Calgon...)

Some days, I look at Tate in awe, and I enjoy the routine of our day. Ya know... the crafts, the park, going to the shops with him as he pulls the little shopping cart behind him and happily sings on his way home whilst in the buggy.

Today is not one of those days.

It is mainly my fault, since last night at about 10p, I discovered the new season of "The Hills" was accessible on youtube. Yea.........I stayed up way to late (and yes I am total nerd for my "Hills" addiction).

Oh and did I mention it is "no-nap" day? On Tuesdays, the Waldorf playgroup is at 1:30p, which is right in the middle of nap time. We love it so much, we sacrifice the nap but holy long day, batman! I know, I know, there are women out there with a whole house full of babies that are laughing at me and cursing me as they read, but whatever...I am tired.

And then Tate just handed me my to-do list with all the boxes checked, with his name written all over it and said "Here Babycakes!" *reluctant, but much needed smile*

Embossing Old School

Finally Creating Again,

Baby Felt Pumpkins.
What are they for? I am not sure yet, but I was inspired by a friend who had baby felt hearts in a tray on her coffee table with shiny confetti and stones with words about love placed around candles. Actually, I made these to send to her if I can ever get them away from Tate.

And Marble Shaving Cream Painting.
This was really a kids project, but I was looking for the how-to on the internet, and I read you can used it for book covers, scrapbooking, etc. It was really fun.

Here's how to do it http://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Marbled-Paper-Using-Shaving-Cream

I used crayola paints, but I suggest food coloring or a larger quantity of cheap old school (water-based) paint that has been watered down a bit.

Now that we have a routine, I have been planning an activity for Tate in the afternoons. This is our list for this week:
1. Shaving Cream Painting
2. File Folder Scrapbooking--visit office supply store for inspiration. SCRAP with office supplies.
3. Make Your Own Word Search
4. Crayon Cakes
5. Fingerprint Tree




Yes, I was on the internet late on Sunday night....

Home Tour!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IMbZMsnwLk

If you want to see parts 2-4, I'll add your email to the private list on youtube. Please excuse the lack of cleaning, Paul being half naked, and me being in my pajamas.

Fall 08 *Inspired* by...

Goddess Guide-- This is a cool tip guide about fashion, food, places to go, things to buy. Mostly it is centered around places and things in London, Paris and New York, but with the internet most items to buy from the guide are accessible to all. Also, it is written to look like an old school scrapbook with lots of art and comments in the margins.

Chartreuse Green and Deep Chocolate Brown

Men in Suits, with umbrellas, saying stuff like "Good Day" and "Cheerio", ok maybe not "Cheerio", but they look they should say it.

"The Party Planner" by David Tutera--makes me want to have a party...He shows the perfect attention-to-detail visions like The Secret Garden Tea Party with gorgeously fragrant flowers, sparkling glittery butterflies everywhere, and elegant tulle hanging with the garden as a backdrop.

Those Dang Chic Moms I see everywhere. I really need to step up my game!

A few London photos!

On the tube. Tate and a friend. Our favorite seat in the house.
Teatime!

Now that essentials are unpacked...

TIME TO ORGANIZE the scrapbook/art room/office!!

The room is amazing, with a spot for Paul, one for Tate and lots and lots of shelves for me. I am looking for cute (preferably COLORFUL) baskets that make the room look like of those craft rooms in the magazines. Right now, it is a mismatch of rubbermaid containers and other plastic tubs...like a "before" photo of a room makeover.

Suggestions of a place to get cute organizational stuff? via online order? or in London?

Paul was online camera shopping last night, so I am hopeful we will have photos soon.


Now I leave you with a photo of a paper craft supply that is used often here in the UK called "Peel Offs". They look like very boring stickers from 1990s scrapbooking, but I am amazed and inspired at the creations that some folks have made with them.

http://www.peel-offs.com/

Castles in Germany, Blocked at the Library

Yep--the library blocked my blog the last few weeks because they had new filters in place, and apparently "cupcakes and coffee" somehow must relate to a porn site or questionable material or something! No, really--I had to send an email to the web administrator to get back on and since our internet will not be hooked up until SEPTEMBER 9th!!!! I had to do something.

Good news=we have our stuff and life is good now. Mainly because there are toys.

We just returned from our friends Clayton Cole and Kati's wedding in Germany..in a castle! I t was pretty much one of the coolest weddings I have ever been to. I hopefully will post pics soon, though Paul lost the camera, but I have hope that it will be found.

I miss you all and can't wait to post photos instead of all this boring writing :)

Not to whine but....

*no internet
*still no camera cord
*no furniture in unfurnished house
*no toys (in an empty house)
*the same clothes from the suitcase for the last 2 months

I'm all for rolling with the punches, but I think I may have reached my limit...

I will return emails and lots of blog posts once we have a home :)
love to you all, cat