Halloween Sewing

It only took me a month after K a t y's September sewing challenge to get out my tools and get down to business. But, in the last week, I think I've accomplished enough sewing handiwork to make things right.

Since 'tis the season for all things scary, I made some all hand-stitched scary faces for a Halloween monster banner. I made two versions of a Frankenstein monster.
Two shiny-eyed Jack-o-lanterns:
Two witches (who apparently have bananas for mouths):
(note to self: no more Lisa-Simpson style hair on these. It takes AGES to stitch)

Two howling ghostie ghouls:
And two spooky tombstones:
I pinned them all to a long, braided yarn rope, and hung them under the spiderwebs:
Troubletron says the pictures of these don't do them justice, but they are really very cute in person. I'm thinking of making kids' sweatshirts/hoodies with these on the back for next Halloween. Is that something folks would buy?

Speaking of Halloween . . . be sure to check back everyday for more Halloween-inspired blogs! We'll have something Halloweenie everyday this week!

Vote for Jana

My friend Jana, merely weeks after returning from a glorious recipe finalist trip to Napa, California for her Idaho-style burger has now submitted a recipe for kid-friendly Ham and Swiss "sushi" rolls to the good people at French's.

She needs your vote! CLICK HERE to vote for Jana's recipe!

My List of Talents by a Nine Year-Old

For a reason I cannot remember, last weekend, Littletron (age 9) began listing things he thinks I am good at.

His list:

Cooking
Sewing
Art
(long pause)
Baking
(another long pause)

Troubletron unhelpfully suggested "cleaning." He got hit in the arm. Then he added "punching."

Teenbot stepped in here with the reminder that I am a lawyer, so maybe I'm good at being smart.

Note to self: set a better example of equality for the men in my home by making them do more of the cooking, baking, and cleaning.

Haunted Houses? Well HOT DOG!

Last weekend, Troubletron, the kids, and I house-sat for my uncle's family. While in their house, we made ourselves quite at home.
Maybe a little TOO "at home."

I have some video of the kids' favorite activity during house-sitting, but I'm having some conversion issues. So, that will wait. But, I'm really looking forward to sharing with you one of our activities from the weekend (which didn't really have anything to do with house-sitting at all, but we did it while at their house).

We gathered up all the Halloween candies, sprinkly treats, and icing we could find . . .
. . . and arranged the family around the table to make HAUNTED GINGERBREAD HOUSES!
Yes. It WAS awesome, just as you would imagine.

I'll show you how we did. Feel free to click to enlarge any picture for better detail!

Littletron was a skeptic, going into the activity. Even though he "hates making gingewbwead houses" and "finks this is dumb," he had an excellent time and really expressed some creativity.
Looking closely, you can see that his house is uniquely shaped, and has an extensive "yard scene" of death. I'm assured that each family member is represented by a be-headed gummi bear somewhere in the scene. And, family togetherness is what this activity was about. Success!
Littletron explained that his house was definitely the scariest because it has one way in . . . and NO ways out! Bwahahaha. Also, what looks in the picture like some kind of rice krispy treat boat with skewered gummi bears is ACTUALLY a monster egg in the process of hatching. So, that's pretty scary too.

Teenbot was more excited about the activity from the get-go.
She did some excellent stucco-ing work with her icing.
And, of course, we all loved her tree, modeled after the Poltergeist tree that eats the little boy right out of his bedroom window. Scary.

Troubletron seemed excited about the activity, but may have only done so to support me and my ideas for family fun. Nonetheless, he fully engaged in the activity.
Troubletron's house featured some upside-down crosses, invoking the power of Satan. He also made a wall-o-spikes that I really enjoyed.
I particularly enjoyed his gummi-head on a skewer, warning all visitors of the danger of entering. Very scary.

And, you know I made one too.
My scary house features a skull sidewalk, a bone wall, and a mindless monster with orange dandruff that could eat you at any time.
If anyone wants to try this at home and needs some Skull and Bones candy, Troubletron and I have about 12 lbs of it, so we'd be happy to donate some to your activity.

Whose do you like best? Or, what features did you like best? What features would you have included, had you been there for the fun?

They have a Rep for that!

I have always suspected that the Republican Party was more tech savvy than they are given credit for. According to this ad I found online, they even have an app to spread their fear, lies, and hatred. I hate to say it but......kudos right wing looney tunes! You got this bring down America thing all figured out!

The Results Are In

Through tears of joy, I am happy to announce that I, Sparklebot, am a

FULLY LICENSED ATTORNEY

in the state of Virginia!

I'm Only Happy When It Rains

. . . but not because I like misery or complications like the '90s Garbage song would have you believe. I really don't know why I love the rain so much. Maybe it reminds me of cuddly family nights from my childhood. Maybe I subconsciously appreciate the added moisture in the air--I do tend to have very dry skin. Maybe it's because I have a vampire-like aversion to the sun and all the damage it does to my skin and eyes.

Honestly, I think it's because I like it when the weather reflects my feelings. And, the vampire thing a little bit too.

People mistake rain-lovers for miserable wrist-slitters, but I think that's too severe. Seriously, who feels sunny and happy everyday? Most days, I'm kind of a mixture of content with clouds of worry. Content with some worry is like a rainy day, to me. Misery--well, that's some sort of hurricane or tsunami or typhoon.

I'm way off topic.

Basically, I was going to say when I started this blog that everyone is complaining about this winter-feeling 40 degree (feels like 30 degree) rain storm we're experiencing, but it is soothing to me. It feels a lot like the end-of-summer closure we've all needed, but haven't had yet with highs in the low 70s last week.

Also, if I find out that I failed the Bar exam tomorrow, it will help sooth my horrible life failure. Though, it may need to amp up to hurricane level winds. I guess only time will tell.

Grown Up

Every once in a while, usually while doing something very mundane, I get a tiny glimpse of the reality that I am, in fact, a grown-up.

It's terrible.

Yet, I'd be offended if someone thought I was a kid.

When I mention this to Troubletron, he shakes his head and says he can't remember NOT being a grown-up. I guess when you have a baby as a teenager, you sort of always HAVE been a grown-up. But, that didn't happen to me. So, my transition has been more subtle, I suppose.

It's not that I'm irresponsible or immature. I pay my bills on time, protect my credit, understand the realities of the working world, know the value of education, stay knowledgeable about politics, pontificate about religion, and have an intimate understanding of my Dyson. I clean, cook, work, stress, organize, and love.

Yet, my living room is full of comic books, video games, and an R2d2 aquarium. My husband and I went to Build-a-bear (without the children) and came home with a pink, winged unicorn with stars and sparkles. My bed linens are polka dotted. I'm currently wearing a T-shirt that says "More Trees Please."

I guess that's why I forget. I live a life of duality. I live in some strange realm where 401Ks and PS3s take up equal brainpower.

This generation is weird, and seemingly unlike any generation before. But, does every generation think that about themselves? Were my parents just as kid-like as I am at 30? I can't wrap my brain around it.

Shear Tyrants is Ready!

As was foretold . . . in my previous blog post . . . I just started an Etsy shop called Shear Tyrants.

I posted some items for sale. Check out the shop. Let me know what you think!

Family Tradition

Like her father . . .
. . . and stepmother . . .
. . . Teenbot is shaping up to be a teenage basketball star.
Troubletron and I finally got the opportunity to see her in action at her latest game.
Troubletron, the proud papa, watched intently as Teenbot starred on the court.
Our girl was so good, she didn't even have to play the second half of the game.
We're so proud.

Sparklebot Starts an Etsy Shop

For those of you who were eyeing Troubletron's homemade Skull cap from our previous post, I have good news for you.

I opened an Etsy store last night (Etsy is an online forum for makers of hand-made goods to hock their wares) where you will soon be able to purchase all the Sparklebot-made items you have grown to love!

My store's name is Shear Tyrants. Here's the logo I made:
I think it's pretty ok. There's a longer, pinker version for the banner on the actual store.

I don't have any items listed yet, but I will soon. The store link is: http://sheartyrants.etsy.com

For those of you with your own blogs, I would be honored if you'd link it--maybe even put up the logo picture and link it? That would be amazing. No pressure though.

Any thoughts on things you know I make that you'd buy? OR things you'd want to buy, if only I made them? Comments on my name/logo?

Pack-it up Pack-it in

Last weekend, Troubletron and I packed up the kids, packed in the cooler, and headed to DC for a day of fun at the craft fair! Since kids aren't known to get too excited for a craft fair (even though they've never been to one), we bribed them with the promise of a visit to the Smithsonian of their choice after the fair, if they were good.

We made it to Adams Morgan for Crafty Bastards a little later than we'd hoped, and the aisles of sellers were packed. Consequently, I spent all my time making sure the two children were always within my sight, rather than trying to get pictures of some of the cool and interesting wares we came across. Check out the vendor gallery link on THIS SITE to see what sorts of things were being sold.

After Littletron couldn't stand to see another booth, we headed back up 18th street toward the car, but stopped to take some photos by some timely graffiti.
There used to be "Vote Obama" and "Hope" items on this wall. Now, it's all about Health care reform and peace in the White House.
Only, someone tagged over the White House.
Teenbot liked the DC flag-inspired stars.

I liked it all. But, where did my left shoe go? I swear I was wearing one.
We walked from Adams Morgan to Meridian Hill/Malcom X Park to eat lunch and rest.
Family picnic time was more fun that we could have planned for. This family is WEIRD.

Here, Troubletron finishes up his cheddar and dijon mustard sandwich. That's all he likes.
I enjoyed a deli chicken, swiss, pickle, lettuce, and mayo sandwich. Normal person. Also, I'm trying to avoid an up-the-skirt shot on camera, and am modeling the free Crafty Bastards tote.
Teenbot made a turkey and chips sandwich (yes, chips ON the sandwich). And, she's obsessed with this pose right now, in case you hadn't noticed.
Littletron just wanted jelly on his sandwich. Just jelly. And, I've never seen a kid crush as many yogurt cups as this kid can.
So, we had a lovely family picnic.
I even sneaked some fruit into the mix.
Then, I enlisted Troubletron, putting our new free tote to use, to collect some acorns for me for some fall-inspired decorating.
You can't have too many transparent glass vases filled with acorns in your house during fall, in my opinion.

The kids played some sports on the grass.
Teenbot is still getting the hang of this particular sport.
Grown-ups took a nap on the grass.
Then we drove to the National Mall to check out the American History museum. We had to park over near L'Enfant Plaza. The kids never pass up an opportunity to pose.
I would not try that at home if you are over 25. I'm looking out for you.

Littletron does his best Atlas impersonation.
Not bad.

In the museum, Troubletron met a childhood hero.
And, so did it.
What did I tell you about kids and posing?
And, to follow up on my Julie and Julia post, we of course visited the Julia Child kitchen.
Littletron kept saying "what's this from?"
And, Teenbot kept responding "That movie Julie and Julia." No matter how many times I explained that it's not "from" that movie--that the movie was about a woman who owned this kitchen--it didn't sink in.
Bon Appetit to you all.

We headed home around 5 pm, napped, made dinner, and then made the kids watch horror movies to celebrate October. We're patting ourselves on the back for our awesome parenting skills right now.

Numbers

0: Ideas I have for Halloween costumes

1: Cell phones I've had this year.

2: Weeks until I find out about the bar exam.

3: Times I filled up my Dyson while vacuuming a 8.5' by 5 ' rug from my old house that's been rolled up for months. Gross.

4: Cell phones Teenbot has gone through this year.

5: Times I cut myself this week doing normal, cooking/sewing activities.

6: Twin babies (3 sets of 2) in my dream this morning that dream-me considered baby-napping. Don't ask where that came from.

7: Cell phones our family has gone through this year. (There was an incident with the washing machine . . .)

8: Time this morning that Marizpan woke me up by throwing her "Birdie Banana" treat around her cage.

8:01: Time Marzipan almost died

9: Shows we DVR on Thursday night--because all good TV happens at the same time.

10: People who read this blog.

Teen Wolf, the later years

Troubletron and I saw elderly Teen Wolf (aka Old Wolf) on the metro this evening. He had more ear hair than I've ever seen on one person in my entire life.

Shudder.