Friday, December 28, 2012

My nerdy little secret...

Everyone has a little nerd in them...and up until recently the fact that I collect playmobil figures has been a secret.

I've bought several sets of them for my nephews, and Matt and Gioia's boys through out the years. I'm not sure when I realized that the reason I kept buying them was really for me, and not them!

Then two years ago at church, they bought the HUGE Noah's Ark and Nativity Scene for the kid's play room! I sat there with another older lady for about 2 hours putting everything together...you know, for the kids =)

This lady was German, and had owned and operated a toy store both in Germany and there in Chicago. She told me all about all the different playmobil sets she had seen and how she had seen them change over the years.

If I didn't love them then, I sure did now! It was Christmas time, and I went home and bid on my very first one that night on eBay. A set of two, A Santa and an Angel. I won those bad boys for $2.50.

To this day, the angel at the top of my tree is Playmobil.
So I just collected one Santa at a time. I told myself I'd never pay more than $1 for a figure. Because paying more than $1 for a toy, as a grown woman, is kinda silly.
So in 4 years, I've collected these Santas:
Wow! That's a whole lotta St. Nick, huh? I love them! Last year they sat (literally, they're little bodies bend, love it!) on my mantle, just chillin' waiting for the REAL Santa to come :)

So then I'd just pick up other figures as I would see them at yard sales, garage sales, etc. Again, I follow the $1 or less rule. I don't have too many of the other guys.
The four to the right are vintage 70's figures :) The fireman is new! He was a gift from a friend who recently found out about my nerd collection. He is a key chain but I'm reluctant to put him on my keys because his face shield comes off pretty easily.

My "other" category is rather lame! They have nurses, Indians, cowboys, rebel soldiers, pirates, princesses, mermaids, fireman, zombies, snowmen, zookeepers, biblical characters, British castle guards, ghosts, vampires, kings and queens, police, bus drivers, race car drivers, etc etc etc.

So there you have it, I'm not only crafty, but also a collector of toys, just call me Sheldon Cooper! That's not so bad though, I love me some Sheldon.

Bazinga!



Sunday, December 23, 2012

Our Christmas List...


So here we are, What I like to call "Christmas Eve Eve"

What is on your list?
Oscar and I have a little imaginary list going on here. We haven't shared it with anyone, so we know we aren't getting any of it, ha ha =)

In all reality, we are SO glad to be home with my family for the first time in 4 years. I am safe, and not in fear for my safety this year. I am not working 80+ hours to try and support an alcoholic husband. I am still battling the migraines, but less than last year! We have a roof over our heads, a warm bed to sleep in, I have a job (and Initials Inc!,) and a car to drive, and a little bit of money in my pocket! Because of these things, I've got EVERYTHING I want for Christmas, and this will the best Christmas I've had in a long time!

Doesn't mean a girl can't wish, right??

So...in no particular order =)

1. Lasik surgery! My contacts are such a pain in the butt, and my glasses are an old Rx, and I can't really wear them except around the house. I'd loooooove to wake up, roll outta bed and be able to SEE!
 

2. A finalized divorce and financial papers!!

3. A REALLY good year with Initials Inc! Complete with tons of parties, sales, and maybe even a few recruits! There is an Initials Inc. conference in Atlanta in July that I would love to go to as well, hoping to make enough selling that I can go!
 4. Headache Ice Pillow from Amazon.com
 
5.  Turquoise or Aqua down comforter. My current one is VERY old, and Lyla chewed a hole in it a while ago. I keep putting packing tape over the whole, but that's pretty lame. I'd love a new one!!

6. Some new scrubs, including jackets. Scrubs get worn out, just like anyone else's "work clothes." So I could use some new tops, pretty good on pants. I've never been into wearing the jackets. I usually just wear long sleeved shirts under the tops. But since Jennifer has been on maternity leave, I've been stealing her black jacket almost every day, and I like it =) Since she will be back in mid-January, I should probably get my own!

 

7. New coat. All of my coats are "Chicago" rated. Totally unnecessary for down here. I really like this Carhartt one. They also have a pretty turquoise one that I saw. Something that will last, but doesn't need to be rated for sub-zero temperatures and 3 feet of snow!
8. Dog food. His stuff is pretty expensive. I love him and it helps keep him slim and trim, so I pay the $40 a bag, but if Ol' Saint Nick wants to help me out, by all means, throw a few bags in the sleigh!

9. Rawhides, Nylabones, Flea and tick meds, and anything else for Momma's boy...I usually would rather not eat lunch and pay for his stuff, so I'll just go ahead and ask for it for Christmas :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

 

Monday, December 17, 2012

My one and only Christmas craft!

As I posted before, I'm totally Bah Humbug this year! In the past 5-6 years I have handmade at least 1/2 of my gifts, had the most beautifully wrapped packages, and baked dozens of cookies by now...

But alas, here I am, a few store bought gifts, nothing wrapped, and cookie-less.

I DID manage to make a few ornaments about a month ago. My friend Gioia was having a Holiday "shopping event" where people could come and shop for Slumber Parties, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, 31 (booo! lmao) etc. products. I had set up a table with a few handmade ornaments. Mainly my favorite, the wine cork reindeer. I just love these guys, and they are always a favorite!

I didn't take pics as I went, so I don't have a tutorial, but here is a picture :) I use 4 corks, glue gun them together, add antlers and a ribbon or a hook. Some of them have eyes and a nose...some of them just get left plain.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

My homeboy...

Yup...I totally wear this shirt to work. Black scrub pants, black scrub jacket...good to go, baby!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Bah humbug...

I don't know what my problem is...I LOVE Christmas! It's MY thing!

I'm THAT girl who drags everyone out to drive around and look at lights!
I love to go to the mall and listen to the Christmas music and enjoy the hustle and bustle!
I take Oscar to sit on Santa's lap!
I make cookies!
I wrap gifts with big, gorgeous bows!
I send beautiful, handmade Christmas cards (Usually postmarked by the first week of December!)
I wear Christmas scrubs!
I put THREE trees up last year! Including one just for my Dachshund!

I just can't get into it this year. I'm not sure if its because this is my first year alone? Alone as in, not with Kurt...I have my family around, which I am SO THANKFUL for....but being alone in a relationship sense is kinda a bummer around the holidays.

I'm also BROKE as a joke. I can't do or buy the things I want, and I REALLY have to watch what I am spending. I usually go CRAZY on Aron and Jason (and now Jackson) but I just can't this year. I know that they won't know, and they love their Em-way just the same...but it breaks me inside a little.

How is YOUR holiday season going? Are you Buddy the Elf this year? Or Mr. Scrooge?

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Thankful...

I was totally into the 30 days of Thanks on Facebook, until I landed in the hospital just before Thanksgiving. Having a headache for 15 days and being on IV pain medication makes on a little less thankful and even more importantly...less able to write facebook posts that make any sense, so I ended it there.
But I did keep them all on a document so that I could share them on my blog, because I really and truly DO have so many things to be thankful for....


My Facebook (almost) 30 days of thanks:

November 1. I am thankful for my amazing parents. Without them I would not be who I am today. I would not have had the strength to put one foot in front of the other, from my very first steps, to the most difficult of times, especially in the last 9 months.

November 2. I am thankful for my grandmother, my Ma. She passed away on August 6. I am so blessed to have had 28 years with her. She was an amazing example of strength, creativity and love. Not a day goes by when I don't think about her, and smile. I know that she is resting peacefully and watching over all of us, smiling that beautiful Trumbo smile of hers :)

November 3: I am thankful for Erin Briner. I was blessed with a sister when I was 20 months old, so I've pretty much never known life without her. Her smart ass mouth and hilarious views sometimes frustrate me, but also make me laugh until my stomach hurts sometimes. She fights harder in one day than most people do in their whole lives, and I love her for it.

November 4: I am thankful for my beautiful, hilarious, intelligent, creative, smart mouthed, baby sister, Hannah. Despite out differences, and the fact that she once held a large vase over her head and said, "I'll break this and tell mom you did it," she is truly my best friend.

November 5: I am thankful for flannel sheets because damn, its cold!

November 6: I am thankful for my Oscar Mayer. My partner in crime for the last 3 years. I'm not sure I would have made it through all of the insanity without him. He has made me laugh when I wanted to cry, and kept me going through migraines, divorce, and Lord knows what else :)

November 7: I am thankful that I live in a society where divorce is not only allowed, but accepted. I am a firm believer in “till death due us part,” but sometimes you have to stand up, and realize that you can't let someone who is ruining their life, ruin yours as well. People have a lot of excuses for why marriages fail, and I can tell you about 100 reasons why mine did. But in reality I am just thankful that I am able to walk away unscathed, and hold me head up high, knowing that I made the right decision, and my life will be better because of it.

November 8: I am thankful for text messaging. Man, what did we do without it?!?

November 9: I am thankful for good friends. They know who they are. Without them, life would be no fun, and quite boring. Friends make life worth living.

November 10: I am thankful for Aron, Jason and Jackson Komar. Aside from my dad, the 3 most important men in my life! Aron, always making me laugh with his crazy knock knock jokes and funny outbursts! I love his sweet cuddly side, and his sometimes mischievous and sneaky side. Jason, I was there to hold him the day he was born, and he has had me around his little finger since then! I love that scratchy little voice and his somewhat oblivious attitude toward the world. Being in Chicago and away from these 2 dudes was heart wrenching! And then there is Baby Jax...so special in every way! From the way he made his entrance into this world, to the cute little giggles he gives me when I go to get him at 6am. He is a perfect mix of both parents and I can't wait to see how his personality will develop into a mix of Matt, Gioia, Aron and Jason! I am so proud to be these boys Em-Way!

November 11: Today I am thankful for migraine medications. It has been a less than pleasant day, and it would have only been worse without them!

November 12: I am thankful for the men and women who give and have given of themselves to serve our great nation.

November 13: I am thankful for opportunity. You never know whats around the next corner, and you gotta keep on looking around those corners, especially when times get tough!

November 14: I'm so thankful for Dansko nursing clogs. They're the only reason I can stand on my feet for 8 to 12 hours a day for the last 10 years!

November 15: I am thankful for a place for Oscar and I to call home. It is so cold out there, and there are so many without homes. Despite an insane year of loosing nearly everything, I am so fortunate that I have amazing parents who allowed us to move in here after I left Chicago.

November 16: I am thankful for my car. I loooove that Hybrid :)

November 17: I am thankful for Cards against Humanity. A terrible, terrible card game...but oh so fun with a glass of wine and good friends!

November 18: I am thankful for YVFD. Being within the walls and amongst the amazing people of this department remind me of who I am, how far I have come, and the future. Years of memories, calls, and a place to live when I needed it the most! I miss those insane calls, late nights on the back porch, and endless hours spent with friends and brothers. It was good to be “home,” today in the 'Shire...even for a short time. I can't wait to be back for good!

November 19: I am thankful for peanut butter and jelly. My favorite food on the planet!

November 20: I am thankful for my own bed, you never know how good it feels until you can't sleep in it for a few days!

November 21: I am thankful for Initials, Inc. I was so torn on the whole idea of direct sales. I had seen Gioia doing so well in it, and others just ordering their start up kits and never doing much else with them. I've always felt that I could be good at it, just didn't know which company that I wanted to do it with. Since signing under Initials, I feel a little more confident, have some killer bags to show off(!!!) and have met some pretty amazing women who are always willing to help when I have (sometimes stupid) questions!!

November 22: I am thankful to be thankful. I have so much to be thankful, and there are so many people who do not. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Haters gunna hate...

Sometimes...you just gotta be a hater.
Today I'm a hater.
And I just happened to come across the greatest shit ever.
The haters guide to the Willams Sonoma catalog.
Read and enjoy.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Dump Everything!

...and join us for Jenn's baby shower!

About a month ago I threw a little baby shower for my friend and co-worker, Jennifer. Her little guy is due ANY day now, and I was a little crunched on time, but I made it work! Jenn is such a good sport and just rolled with all of my crazy ideas, which is why I love her! =)
 
 I have zero dollars in my Mighty Mouse piggy bank, Ladies and Gentleman.  Because I was expecting help, but didn't ASK for it, I can only blame myself. So here is how I went about throwing a cute baby shower ON A BUDGET!!!

 So if you remember correctly, I'm like Charlie Sheen at baby showers...WINNING!!! You can see some previous posts here:

Diaper cakes made by me =)
Diaper cake tutorial
Diaper cake supplies
Congrats Mike and Mandy!

 All of the places around here to have a party, like the Fire Departments, Moose Lodge, Knights of Columbus etc wanted at least $400, all the way up $900 just for a few hours! Times like this, I wish my firehouse wasn't SOO far away!! No one else volunteered their homes, and I live with my parents and six dogs, plus I live the furthest away, so that wasn't going to work. The ONLY person who offered to help and have it at their house was Jenn, and NO WAY was I going to make her clean her house and everything to have company over!!!

So, I called the local Ledo's Pizza and I asked how much their party room was, and they said it was FREE!! As long as you order $50 w0rth of food! Perfect. I ordered 2 pizzas for myself, Jenn, and anyone else who waned a few pieces, and a pitcher of sweet tea, and they everyone else figured out their own lunch and paid for it. Sweet! They have delicious food and amazing sweet tea, which seems to be hard to do in Culpeper!

Think outside the box on your location! It doesn't HAVE to be a "fancy" restaurant, or someones house. Ledo's is a pretty inexpensive place, but it was nice not to have to clean up before OR after aside from what we brought in!

I did all of the invitations, naturally, that's my favorite part. I went with a construction/dump truck theme because she already had a "traditional" blue/teddy bear shower when she had Ryan, and a "typical" pink and purple one for Alayna...so I wanted something fun, playful and 100% boy for this one!! I put one invitation on a large white mat and had all the guests sign it for baby Chase :)
As far as decorations went, I would have liked to do a little more, including banners and lots of yellow and orange balloons, but the ceilings in there were around 12 feet...so that made it difficult. I also had to get everything in my car in one trip. You have to think about these things, especially when you are going at it alone =)
The Decorations that I DID included CAUTION tape around each table, a CAUTION tape bow on the back of Jenn's chair, and some cardboard construction signs that I got on Amazon.com. They were 4/$6. I got 2 packages and put them standing on the tables. I also used toy Tonka trucks on the tables to hold favors, cards and other small items.


As for favors, I used the orange swirly lollipops purchased at Oriental Trading. They came with Stickers, which I had them print with "Jennifer's Baby Shower!" I spray painted a foam block and set it down into a Tonka truck to look like it was hauling it.

 The second favor was a game really. I bought these 24 ducks on Oriental Trading as well. They have little construction helmets on! So cute! I put them on the table, spilling out of the bull dozer. One of the duckies had a dot on the bottom. When everyone was done eating, I had them grab a duck. The one with the little dot was a 10 year old, she was SO excited!

The "real" favors are the Hershey's HE bars. I saw them a LONG time ago at a wedding where they made HE & SHE bars with their wedding date. These took a little time  to come up with a pattern, but once I did, easy peasy lemon squeasy. Orange card stock, with a black card stock dump truck cut out on my cricut, and one yellow ribbon. Cute and easy!

Jenn's sister in law made a cake and cupcakes


Momma opening presents
Decorate a bib for baby Chase! Hmmm, lets see who can spot mine!






 Hmm, I don't think she will be naming her baby after Dr. Roshandel!!

So thats it! You CAN throw a baby shower by yourself! And inexpensively!! Anyone else tried to do this recently?

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Launch me!

So, I've officially launched with Initials, Inc....

Initials is a company that sells amazing purses, bags, backpacks, diaper bags, etc. that are personalized/monogrammed. They're beautiful, and I want the whole catalog...but I'll restrain myself for the time being.

I've been thinking about direct sales for a while now, not only to supplement my income, but to get out of the house, and be more productive, and meet people as well. I just hadn't come across a company that really grabbed my attention yet. I knew I didn't want to do anything with food, so that ruled out Tupperware and Pampered Chef, and I don't do candles, and I'm not so much into talking about sex toys.

Then I saw something on the internet about Initials, Inc. I saw that it was similar to another company that is very popular around here. The patterns, and textures of the Initials bags were much more appealing though, and the quality just seemed better was well. I took a shot and sent an email. When I got an email back from the recruiter, I was very impressed with how welcoming she was, and how interested she was in my schedule, and what she could do to help me make Initials work out for ME, not just getting me to sign on so that it worked for her.

So anyway, long story short, I thought about it for about a week, spoke with the recruier, who is now in my upline, and awesome :) and I signed with Initials, Inc yesterday as an Independent Creative Partner. I should be getting my starter kit this week. I've already booked my first catalog party and possibly another one with my friend's Laura and Kerrin, because they're awesome!

If anyone out there reading this needs anything, wants to book a party, or just wants to check out Initials, inc, here is my website :)

http://www.myinitials-inc.com/Emily/

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Weiner dogs on Wednesday, Halloween edition!

Happy Halloween from Whem and Osc!!

This is a pic from 2 years ago, the only year I ever successfully had Oscar in a costume. He usually snarls and adamantly refuses!

I look like I got hit with the ugly stick...but I love my little Jager bomb :)

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Happy Halloween from the proud sister of an Aspie!

My sister has Asperger's syndrome (an Autism spectrum disorder,) and for that reason, this melted my heart...particularly the part about not wearing a costume. She has always had an issue with texture, and Halloween costumes are not always the best material and don't feel great on your skin, I can remember this being an issue as a kid.


Tomorrow, a lot of creatures will visit your door. Be open minded. The child who is grabbing more than one piece of candy might have poor fine motor skills. The child who takes forever to pick out one piece of candy might have motor planning issues. The child who does not say "trick or treat" or "thank you" might be painfully shy, non-verbal, or selectively mute. If you cannot understand their words, they may struggle with developmental apraxia of speech. They are thankful in their hearts and minds. The child who looks disappointed when he sees your bowl might have a life-threatening allergy. The child who isn't wearing a costume at all might have SPD or autism. Be kind, be patient, smile, pretend you understand. It's everyone's Halloween.

Haunted Hallow

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been working a second job the entire month of October.  Haunted Hallow is a 25 minute haunted walk through an old farm, including four terrifying barns and lots of scary creatures lurking in between barns as you walk through.

My sister, Erin, has been doing makeup at Haunted Hallow for a few years and loves it. When I moved back home, she casually mentioned something about coming to work there this year, and I was all "sure, whatever."

When September rolled around, it was time to actually go to the meeting and sign up for this place. Hannah and I were still in "whatever," mode...I could certainly manage 11 nights of work for the extra cash.

 Hannah and I both absolutely refused to put costumes on, wear makeup, or do any scaring though...we signed up to sell tickets or concessions, help with makeup and costumes...anything but scaring. No way Jose.

Well...by the second night, I was totally hyped. I LOVE Halloween anyway, and the owners of this place obviously do too. The farm has something special about it that just made me smile and have a good time, and I couldn't ask for better co workers! From the 18 year old kids to the guy that works with my dad at the funeral home, we all just LOVE Halloween and wanted to have a good time scaring the crap out of people. Hearing people scream made me laugh, because that meant we were doing a damn good job! This place is mad scary...I KNOW where all the actors are, and I still got scared, 4 weeks into it!

Night two...I was in full zombie makeup =)

Night four, I had a permanent position on the trail. A full time ghoul, with a new costume. Say hello to your new nurse...

I couldn't have picked a more perfect job for myself...I got to scare people a bit, but also help and comfort those who were a little TOO scared. I would turn on my flash light and show them that I was just a regular person that likes Halloween, give them a pep talk, and send them on down the trail...to the zombies.

This job was exactly what I needed in the midst of my divorce, financial issues and general craziness in life. I had been feeling pretty low about a lot of things...but having a "fun" job to go to and not have to think was amazing.  Plus, did I mention that I LOVE Halloween??

I feel blessed to have met some amazing people while working at Haunted Hallow, people from all walks of life whom I would otherwise never have spoken with.

If my "real" job made me stay up until 1am, stand outside in my scrubs and freeze, yell until I lost my voice, run up and down hills and fields until my back and legs were screaming or put blood all over my face...I'd be looking for a new job ASAP, but I LOVE me some Haunted Hallow!!! I've never been more exhausted, but it was SO worth it!

Our season has come to an end now, one day early thanks to Hurricane Sandy....but check out the website and come see us in 2013. I will definitely be there again!

www.HauntedHallowVA.com

Oh, and PS...The money that I made at Haunted Hallow is exactly what I need for my divorce! Come on February!!!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Yard sale detail...

It's been a couple weeks...I had to skip yard saleing for two Saturdays IN A ROW due to working a second job for the month of October that kept me out until midnight or later, and then having to go back to work later on Saturday. (More on the second job and all of its awesomeness later!)

If you missed my first Yard sale detail post, you can read it here

But I'm back and ready to roll! Here are my treasures from a girls morning with Gioia and Tina, as well as a few online yard sale finds.

I'm in LOVE with this new bag...the color is perfect for fall and the leather is SO soft! That's right...leather. Real leather and only $8.
Cat's meow...have you ever seen these? They sit on top of the molding in doorways and what not. They used to be more popular. You can get them of pretty much any city in the world. My Ma had tons of them from England.

I have a few, one from Ernest Hemingway's home in Key West, one of my firehouse...well this one is Fauquier High school, where I graduated from. It will NEVER look like this again because they are putting on this monstrous addition, which is hideous by the way. $10...a little more than I usually pay for yard sale stuff, but it had sentimental value :)
Wooden pineapple bowl, going to paint and seal it to make a cute spoon rest by the stove! I'm going to go ahead and admit that I pretty much snatched this out of Tina's hand. My bad. 50 cents.
You can't beat free...or ten cents for that matter! Fiskars scissors sharpener...costs around $10 new, always wanted one, but couldn't justify spending then money.

Two little owls. Need to be spray painted  and sealed because they are chipping in places...and their eyes freak me out. May add some fabric flowers or lace around the bottoms and sell them on etsy as wedding cake toppers :)

If you remember from my first yard sale detail post, I bought a large owl to paint and seal. And I also wrote about my new "whoot," scentsy warmer...which is a big white owl. I dig owls...and spray paint.
This is a VERY heavy little piece. You screw it into the wall with the holes in his ears and bow tie. The upper teeth stick out and it is used as a bottle opener. I got this for my cousin, Brian. He is a tattoo artist near Richmond, and collects all kinds of cool stuff and I thought this would go nicely in his "office." I paid $1 for this weird little guy, but I told Brian that it fell out of my box of Cheerios.
Black and white fabric...50 cents. Can never have too much fabric, right? My mom would agree...my dad would ultimately disagree.
Twilight tote for my sister, Erin. 50 cents. She loves her some twilight. I love totes this size, they are good for taking lunch to work or running errands, or carrying gym shoes, or whatever!!
First of all, I need to manage all that crap in my room...yikes! I paid $5 for this mirror and the two little white owls above.

This mirror is pretty awesome. The frame is plastic, but its pretty sturdy. It will be a re-do and sell piece. I'm thinking black frame with black and white fabric flowers made out of the fabric pictured above. As an accent color I tend to ALWAYS use turquoise, so I'm going to try and use purple or something else this time!

So what have you found lately? An $8 genuine leather bag? Some Christmas gifts? I'm excited to see!!




Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Weiner dogs on Wednesday

My boy loves pumpkin...unfortunately when you are trying to decorate, he wants to eat those too...
(This pic is obviously from last year...I wouldn't torment myself by putting out my "Oscar and Lyla spook here" signs...missin' my girl, but SO happy to have my Osc!)

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Pinterest motivational challenge 3

I can't believe I've actually followed through with 3 projects! Michelle is SO proud of me :)

You can see our other projects here:
Pinterest motivational challenge 1

and

Pinterest motivational challenge 2

Our 3rd challenge had to involve the use of #1. Paper and #2. A circle punch. Seems easy enough. There were some kick-ass versions on Pinterest to drool over to get started...here are a few of my favorites:












Circle punch artSuper cute!



circle punch collage
Love these!! So Again, the way that our challenge works, is that we set the ground rules, and both Michelle and I set to work on our project...Her in Wisconsin, and me in Virginia. One week later we post the results and see how different and beautiful (sometimes not so much!) they are!!

So...Here is Michelle's AWESOME version with the awesome Baby Jack, as a model! I love it! I suggested that she do one for all 4 of her rescued dachshunds!
   
She used blue and green 2 inch circles, and and a 1 inch circle punch to cut out copies of a favorite photo of sweet baby Jack!. The background paper is brown Kraft paper, which is a personal favorite of mine! The frame is from the dollar store. I'm in love with the idea of displaying photos this way! So cute and non-traditional!

And here is mine. As usual, I went a totally different direction =)
I started with a 97 cent pizza pan from Wal-Mart. I liked that it was cheap (I was going to use a canvas, so this was WAY cheaper than that!!) and round like my circles. I used the same size circle punch (1.5inches,) for my whole project. I used turquoise, purple, white, and threw in a few shiny zebra circles for fun and just started gluing away in concentric circles until the pan was covered.

So, there is out #3 challenge...onto #4, which will involve pumpkins!! Don't forget to check back next week to see them!