the wit and "wisdom" of whirleygirl

Check out Examiner.com's Holiday Gift Guide 2008: Gifts for Newborns....do you see something familiar?

Yay! My leopard rose birth keepsake made the list!! Oh I'm so excited!! So many other great items as well on the list...i feel i am in good company!  :) Thanks so much!!

"It's never too late to be what you might have been."

...as wisely said by George Eliot (a.k.a. Mary Ann Evans)

I feel good today...like I am getting back to my old self...feisty, still very feisty but that is a good thing. Maybe it is because i realize all the love and support that i have from friends and family, maybe it is because i had a great talk with an old friend last night (mz. M - you are the best!!) or maybe it's because as i was walking my marvelous dog Gilbert today , the leaves were blowing around and i remembered..it is Fall...my favorite season. The sadness of the last few months had made me forget what i love.

Those that have betrayed me and chosen a life of shame have taken a lot of life energy out of me the last few months but this world is too wonder*full not to be jolted back to reality....once again my eyes are open to the beauty, joy, and kindness that is all around.

(let's raise those coffee mugs high...) Here's to celebrating the days ahead!!!

This friendly bluebird is here to tell you some exciting news!

**** For the rest of November all items in the whirleygirl etsy shop are 15 % off! ****

(Free shipping is still included in all items shipped within the U.S.)

This is the first time i have ever done a sale but i know times are tight right now, so this is my gift to you!

I think more than ever, now is the time to buy handmade - when i do, i know it makes me feel good knowing that i am buying something that that another person has lovingly created with their own imagination, heart, and two hands.

On a personal note, I know i have gotten a bit random in my blogging the last few months, and i appreciate the emails i have gotten with some of you "checking in." - you are the best! My life has literally been turned upside down and i am slowly but surely putting the pieces back together. As i do, i will be back to blogging all the randomness that is in my head as well creative craft ideas for children, links to yummy recipes, etc,etc... Thanks for sticking with me! :)

 

Don't be a chicken- get out and vote today!!

Fabulous Home for Sale - Plainfield Schools!

I'm interrupting this place of creativity to announce a great home that is for sale....my house! Yes, I am selling my house! You can view all the details of my home here and here.

I'll miss the neighborhood, Southgate Park. Seriously, people are SO nice - whenever you need an extra hand, there is someone willing to help. When I'm running late, there is always someone to help out with Gilbert the dog and just yesterday, a neighbor randomly brought me some chocolate covered strawberries - just because! :)

There is a beautiful park in the center of the neighborhood - it has a baseball/soccer field, sand volleyball court, and a big playground - it also is a great place to walk the dog. We are close to everything and anything a person could possibly need and can walk to the Bolingbrook Golf Club for those that are into that.

It has been a good home, we built it a few years ago, and it holds a lot of memories.....but it's time to move on, start a new chapter in life, and let a new lucky family build memories in this house.

 

So you all know i love myself a good cupcake...so why not a cupcake magic wand?!?!  Deem yourself Queen (or Princess if you so wish) of the Cupcakes!! I love this wand - it's a lively piece  - bright and cheery and loaded with sparkle!! It's available here in my Etsy Shop. Wouldn't it make a fun birthday gift? I think so..

So on the topic of cupcakes...

 - For those of us in the Chicago area, I went to A Taste of Heaven Bakery in Andersonville over the weekend - had a delicious "Almond Joy" cupcake - very tasty...gave me inspiration to make a nice moist chocolate cake and mix flaked coconut in a nice neutral butter cream frosting...sprinkle some slivered almonds on top..mmmm - will report on the outcome of that creation!

 - I've been sooo hankering for pumpkin flavored pastries! Found this recipe from good ol' Martha for pumpkin cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting that i think i'll try - may try mixing in a few chocolate chips.. Also, discovered this recipe for Pumpkin Cookies that look good as well... any favorite pumpkin recipes that you have to share?

 - Here is a fun link to to some fun Halloween cupcake and munchie ideas. I love that picture of a the brain cupcake!

Have a day filled with sweetness!

   What do monkeys and cupcakes have in common? 

   

They are both irresistibly cute.....and make irresistibly cute picture frames!

The monkey is a cute little guy so happy with his banana and the cupcake has a sparkly detail on the cherry and sprinkles for a little extra splash of cuteness..

These two new designs are now available in the Etsy shop - fun,fun,fun!

It may seem a little early but before you know it, it'll be turkey time! The above apron was painted for my friend Renee Ferguson who is the author of "Talk Turkey To Me! " It is a great cookbook filled with funny anecdotes and delicious recipes that will ensure your role as "most fab holiday cook EVER!"

I'm so proud of Renee - she's been on QVC as well as Throwdown with Bobby Flay - how cool is it that she was wearing the apron i painted as she became a sparkling T.V. personality!!

She is doing some book signings in a few different places or you can just order her book online - you can get it at  www.turkeytools.com. (You can click here to see her in her sassy apron - isn't she cute!)

Gobble!Gobble!

Meet my new friend Mr. Owl! He is a friendly little guy - a bit quirky- and is perched atop a magic wand, ready to go on an adventure with you!

I have a lot going on in my life right now and just couldn't sleep ...so i went into the studio and this little feathered friend was created! I didn't mean to necessarily create an owl but i did...and the during a random conversation at the post office with a stranger today,  i found out that owls come into your life to make you aware of something - they carry messages. Hmmmm......

Well, this particular owl carries a message of fun! You can get your magic owl wand in the whirleygirl designs etsy shop!

Also - due to popular demand, my robot switch plate cover is now available as a double switch plate as well - also available here in the etsy shop!

I know Halloween and Day of the Dead are a little over a month away but they are my favorite holidays and i'm thrilled to present these two cute holiday wands to you!! They both measure about 14 inches long and each have sparkly details that add to their fantastic-ness. They both are also waterproof so you can take them out trick-or-treating with you and have no worries!

They are only with us for the 2008 Halloween/Day of the Dead season so get them while you can!

Available in the etsy shop here!