Goosebumps! HP & The Deathly Hallows!!!!

Crafting for a Cause - Meet Getty

(Repost from Stacey's Blog) Please Read!:

Meet Getty
Many of you have heard me mention the name Getty, the term SMA1 and my friend Kate. I keep dropping hints that things are in the works but haven't said much about the cause as a whole until now. So sit down, hang on and PLEASE read and show your support. I don't ask much from you my wonderful readers...but this time I need your full attention.



This is Getty Storm, my friend Kate and Mark Storm's beautiful almost 6 month old daughter. At the beginning of August Getty went to her routine 4 month appointment. Kate and Mark assumed that the most painful part of this trip would be the shots that Getty received at the end of the visit. What they didn't know was that they would be told that their daughter likely only had two years to live.

Getty was diagnosed with SMA1. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited disease that causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness, eventually leading to death. Infants like Getty with SMA Type 1 are born with very little muscle tone, weak muscles, and develop feeding and breathing problems over time. Weakness gets worse and will eventually become severe. There is no cure or treatment for the progressive weakness, making this condition terminal.

When Kate told me, I was crushed. A new mom myself I had no idea how to handle the news. Getty was Leyton's first girlfriend...his cougar. I went home and cried all weekend. I made a tape of lullabies and cried each time I listened to it. I held Leyton tighter than I ever had and kept telling him I loved him with tears running down my face. Then I woke up and realized that I had to help Kate and her family. I decided to make it my mission to do anything and everything I possibly could to make things easier. I knew that the two things going for me was that I knew a lot of people and I knew how to throw events. Since Getty's condition is considered terminal her insurance will not cover many of the medical expenses and equipment that Getty is going to need.

With the help of my friend Jenn, Becki and Meghan a site for Getty was started. It would be a place for the Storm family to share their updates about Getty. It would be a place for people to learn about SMA. It would be a place to share upcoming fundraising events being held in Getty's honor. It ultimately would be a place to raise money and awareness about Getty and her condition.

www.gettyowl.com is now officially up and running. Go there, read and tell your friends all about it!!!

The first fund raiser is also on the books and moving and grooving!


GETty Crafty at Fremont Park is set to take place here in Sacramento on October 16th. We have over 50 vendors coming out, live music and some great sponsors. We also have an AMAZING raffle that we will be selling tickets for. There will be more information on the vendors and the raffle coming soon so please stay tuned!

Now that you have read all of this you might be wondering how you can help. The first and easiest is if you have a site, if you tweet, if you simply Facebook...spread the word about Getty's site and about the craft fair. We have created an event on Facebook which you can see here:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=130763776971424

If you are local, come out to the event. If you are a vendor, sign up to be part of the event by emailing me!

There is also a cute little button that you can put on your blog letting everyone know that you support Getty Owl.

Finally, if you would like to make a monetary donation you can also do that through Getty's site. This money goes directly to the family to pay for medical treatment and supplies that Getty will need. In the event of Getty's passing, any funds that remain will be donated to further research and help other families out that are going through this same thing.

Thank you so much to everyone that has already shown their support. I'm so happy to be a part of all of this and could not have done it without you.

2010 Oddity Faire

Can't wait for tonight!!! :)

The League of STEAM

The Guild Rules!

Latest Episode:

Jane Austen's Fight Club

Goin' Steampunk!

In attempt to begin construction on my Halloween costume, I found this precious gem sitting right in my parent's garage! It's perfect for the steampunk ensemble I'm trying to assemble.

Why such a fuss so soon? Well, besides being my all-time-favorite holiday, it is also the day my best friend, Erin, is getting married! More updates on my costume are sure to come!

By the way, just in case you're curious as to what steampunk is, ” a genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advance technology.” (from the Oxford English Dictionary).

Here's a sampling of my inspirations from my etsy favorites:

FREE Classes @ The Folsom Bead Shoppe

(Repost from The Bead Shoppe blog.)

We are happy to announce new FREE* classes at
The Folsom Bead Shoppe!

Zig-Zag Bracelet:
Thursday, July 8th 11am-1pm
Thursday, July 29th 11am-1pm

Diamond Flower Bracelet:
Thursday, July 15th 11am-1pm

Framed Pendant:

Part 1: Wednesday, July 21st 11am-1pm

Part 2: Thursday, July 22nd 11am-1pm

Satin Pearl Bracelet:
Wednesday, July 15th 11am-1pm

Satin Crystal Elegance:
Wednesday, July 28th 11am-1pm

(*Free when you purchase your beads and stringing supplies in store. Otherwise, the class is $20.00 if you want to bring in your own beads. $5.00 deposit required to reserve your seat in the class, which will go towards the purchase of your beads.)

Sacramento Etsy Craft Party

I want to go! Hopefully, it's still going when I get off work! If so, I'll see you there! ;)

I almost forgot!

I intended on posting these pictures with my LOST tribute post! I actually came across this VW bus in the gas station parking lot a few weeks back after a round of disc golf! I couldn't resist taking some pictures of it...or posing with it! =D

I tried cross-processing these to make them look like "1977 Dharma Initiative" photos!

(Can you tell I use to be a cheerleader by my stance??? I know it's a little sloppy, but it was a quick pose!....Yes, I'm a nerd! LOL!!!)

My Tribute to LOST!

Ever since I saw Amy's embroidered Love Bus pattern, I knew that I had to make something with it. Then I had the fantastic idea of creating a LOST Dharma Initiative van! So I got the pattern from Amy, printed it out, bought the perfect blue fabric and went to work. Thankfully, I had the help of my wonderfully talented seamstress of a mom to help me get the seams right!

I just neglected to line up the windows properly...Oh well, no one's perfect! Right?!

After the initial sewing was done, I embroidered the Dharma Logo on the front of the van. Then I sewed the infamous numbers (4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42) along the top.

Once that work was completed, my mom sewed my patch onto my brand new shirt!

Can you tell how happy I am with the results?!

Oh yeah, I also made a brand new charm bracelet with the numbers to go with it! ;)

Along with my other favorites "cookie dough", his name is John and the shutting of an eye...

Goodbye LOST! I'll miss you!

SN&R Block Party This SATURDAY!!!

We will be vending here on Saturday! Please stop by and say "hi"!

Third Saturday...Be there or be square!!!

I am happy to announce that we will be at Third Saturday THIS SATURDAY!!! Meaning that I will be up late every night this week creating NEW colorful, fun, funky jewelry for you, your friends & family to buy! ;) Please stop by and say "Hi!"!

Sacramento News & Review's

Third Saturday Event

Saturday, May 15th

Noon - 5 PM

FREE ADMISSION

Downtown Plaza, Sacramento CA

By Women's Macy's

The Roseville Spring Antique Market

The Roseville Spring Antique Market is THIS SUNDAY!!! April 18, 2010 from 8am - 4pm. It's Free Admission & Free Parking in Downtown Roseville on Oak Street between Taylor & South Grant.

Mona from Gatherings will be there selling her fantastic goodies...including a few pieces of my jewelry! Please stop by and say Hi to Mona! Who knows, you might find something you like! Maybe some earrings? Maybe some fun housewares? Maybe a great antique piece to finish off a project you've been working on!

By the way, Mona is carrying some of my jewelry in the Gatherings shop!

(650 Fulton Avenue Sacramento, CA)

Also, please vote for Gatherings on the KCRA "A-list"!

A Day With(out) Shoes

April 8th was A Day Without Shoes. It was a day to spread awareness about underprivileged people who have to go everyday without shoes. Because of this they can develop terrible debilitating disorders with their feet!

Facts from A Day Without Shoes website:

One Day Without Shoes is the day we spread awareness about the impact a simple pair of shoes can have on a child’s life. On April 8th, we ask people to go the day, part of the day or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience a life without shoes first-hand, and inspire others at the same time.

It’s Hard Without Shoes

Through everyday encounters with domestic poverty, we are reminded to appreciate having food and shelter, but most of us all but forget about our feet. Food, shelter, AND shoes facilitate life’s fundamentals. Imagine a life without shoes; constantly aware of the ground in front of you, suffering regular cuts and scrapes, tending to infection after each walk, and enduring not only terrain, but heat and cold.

The problem is large, but the solution is simple. Wearing shoes and practicing basic hygiene can prevent both infection and disease due to unsafe roads and contaminated soil. By imagining a life barefoot, we can all contribute to the awareness of these conditions. On April 8th, communities, campuses, organizations, and individuals are banding together to walk barefoot for One Day Without Shoes.

Facts:

• In some developing nations, children must walk for miles to school, clean water and to seek medical help.
• Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.
• Often, children cannot attend school barefoot.
• In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.
• Podoconiosis is 100% preventable with basic foot hygiene and wearing shoes.

I wanted to participate all day...Unfortunately, I couldn't go barefoot at work! So this is as barefoot I got:

That is until lunch when I went for a walk around the plaza!

I'm grateful that I can afford to wear shoes daily! For this I pledge to purchase a pair of TOMS shoes. For every pair of TOMS shoes sold, they donate a pair to someone in need! I encourage you to do the same! :D

2nd Saturday @ Zocalo with Art-ifex Jewelry!

My best friend, Erin of Art-ifex, will be vending her wares this 2nd Saturday @ Zocalo! She has some awesome talent! Heck, she's the person that taught me how to wire work! Here's a sample of one of her beautiful pieces:

Please stop by & say hi to Erin!

Zocalo (18th & Capitol, Midtown Sacramento) 4pm-9pm!

Handmade Card Swap

The ever-talented Missy of Crafty Carnival is hosting a hand-made card swap! I couldn't resist joining in on the fun! I'll keep you posted on what I make for the swap...as well as what I eventually receive from all my swap partners!

Missy has also created a kickstarter project so that she can produce rubber stamps from her drawings!

Death Eater Terror Continues!!!

Cast of Characters

Let's start off with Alice, otherwise known as Marianna:

{Costume made by Kathy Garcia, Jewelry by Rain's Embellishments}

Next up we have a couple of Cheshire Cats:

{Costume & Jewelry made by Rain's Embellishments}

Rain (Me)

&

Marissa

Followed up by some Royalty:

{Costume by Kathy Garcia, Jewelry & Crown by Rain's Embellishments}

The Duchess (Rachel)

& a not so royal Dormouse (Xavier)

{Costume by Kathy Garcia & Rain's Embellishments}

The Red Queen/Queen of Hearts

(Angel)

{Costume by Torrid & Kathy Garcia, Jewelry by Rain's Embellishments}

The White Queen

(Kathy/Mom/Grandma)

{Costume by Old Navy & Target, Jewelry & Crown by Rain's Embellishments}

Then a grouping of Mad Hatters:

(Vanessa)

(Grace)

And a frolicking group of White Rabbits:

{Costume by Torrid & Kathy Garcia, Jewelry by Rain's Embellishments}

(Isabella)

(Small Sarah)

(Big Sarah)

And a fresh crop of Talking Flowers:

(Claudia)

(Hannah)

{Costume by Kathy Garcia}

& (Mara)

We're All Mad Here!!!

Planning a birthday party is a piece of work! We couldn't have pulled off a successful party without some help (internet & local people/businesses)!

First off, I would like to thank The Long Thread for your Alice in Wonderland Blog! It's awesome! Thank you for your FREE downloadable (Alice themed) PDFs (garlands, party hats & stickers)! They helped set the scene of the party!

(Other "poker suit" garlands from Party City,

Black & White striped ribbon from The Paper Garden)

Next, the look would not have been completed without the help of

Valerie Claussen!

Angel contacted her to get the Mad Tea Party Decorations (mushrooms, flowers, large tea pots & signs). I have to say, they were incredible!

The other tea settings (both miniature & normal cups & saucers) are from my mom's personal collection. Chairs supplied by our cousin Lacey at Celebrations.

I can't forget to thank a good friend, Jacqueline, for creating this wonderful & yummy Cheshire Cat cake! It was breath-taking (even though her daughter Mara decided to jostle it around like it was a toy)! Thank you for all your time & effort!!!

(candles found at The Party Concierge)

It certainly put a smile on Mari's face!

I also found some help and inspiration from Disney Family.com - Everything Alice

(cupcakes, shrink charms & party favors including other FREE downloadable PDFs).

Including these scrumptious tea cup cupcakes:

Thank you also to Mona at Gatherings! You went out of your way to get this top hat out of storage for me! If you look really closely at the first picture of this blog you might see a fantastic Alice clock I found in her shop! I gave it to Mari as a birthday present.

A BIG Thank You to all who helped make Marianna's 12th birthday tea party a success! Hopefully I didn't leave anyone out! Please forgive me if I did!

....Stay tuned for costumes! >^..^<