Harry Potter, Midnight, Tonight

I've been waiting for as well as dreading today for months-years. 

Tonight, at midnight, I'll see the LAST Harry Potter movie.

It's so very bittersweet.

If you have any doubt of my love for all things Harry Potter, remember where I went on vacation a few weeks ago. . .AND, just do a search within my blog for anything Harry related and you'll find a long lists of posts mentioning the boy wizard.

In honor of the movie tonight, I created an Etsy Treasury full of all kinds of magical creations.

It All Ends

Please click on the link to see the full treasury!!

I plan on taking my wand with me as well as making myself a deathly hallows necklace (time permitting) to wear for the movie. Oh, and I pray I don't forget the tissues as I know I'll be sobbing my eyes out as it comes to an end.

So that this post isn't completely centered on my geeky interests, take a gander at these earrings that were placed on sale today.

Split Personality Earrings - ON SALE

Are you spending the day obsessing over the end or did you not even realize that tonight was the night? Either way. . .enjoy your day.

Vacation Teaser and a Meal Plan

I know I've promised you pictures from the vacation, but right now that's a bigger task than I need to undertake today. As per me, I used three different cameras to capture shots over the last week and am working on getting them all loaded and edited before I can share. So, please hang in there and I'll get them posted as soon as possible. For now, here's a teaser from one of the most magical places ever.

Hogwarts Castle at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

I swear that catching up from vacation takes twice as long as the vacation itself. Even though we came home a bit early, I didn't allow myself to complete any usual household tasks (except cooking and the dishes.) As such I still have to unpack, wash clothes, put away miscellaneous items, upload and edit all those photos, catch up on my blog reading, and all the other normal chores. I wish I could just wave my wand (of course I scored one at Ollivander's) and have it be done. Instead, I'm playing catch up.

This morning, I knew my main chore was to get a menu plan made and grocery shopping done since we had minimal food in the house. I'd REALLY like to make it into the craft room at some point, but considering that it's almost 3pm, that goal may not be achievable today. Sigh! Of course, once I get this post done, I may forge ahead and really work to get as many chores done as I can so that I can spend lots of time in there tomorrow. Here's hoping!

For now, let me go ahead and show off my menu plan for the week since it is Meal Plan Monday. I encourage you to visit the other blogs linking up at I'm an Organizing Junkie today.

Breakfasts: Cereal, breakfast burritos, muffins, bacon and cheese muffins, waffles, omelets

Lunches: Bean burritos, ham sandwiches, tuna noodles, calzones, soup/grilled cheese, leftovers, ham/cheese quesidillas 

Dinners: Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta, Pork loin (w/ yellow rice & broccoli), Taco Soup, Grilled Pork chops (w/gilled veggies, field peas, & rice), Crockpot chicken (w/potatoes and green beans)


I was also able to check "List new item in shop" off my to do list today as this quirky bracelet was added.

Mechanical Breeze Bracelet

Now let's see what else I can accomplish in what's left of the day!!

Getting it Done

Not to toot my own horn too loudly, but I'm pretty proud that I finally, actually got some tasks accomplished yesterday! Hurray! Here's hoping today is as productive.

Since it is Tuesday, let me share with you some of the cool stuff I've found on Tumblr this week before I get to anything else.

Rainbow Buttons

Ways to Stay Creative list

Tea Can Magnets

Minimalist LOTR Movie Posters

Patchwork Curtains

Make the Best of Everything

Harry Potter Themed Jewelry

Speaking of jewelry (wink, wink), there are some new earrings in the shop

Feather My Nest Earrings

And this necklace is now ON SALE

Off Balance Necklace - 20% OFF

Don't forget to check out the "Circles and Dots May BNR Treasury" from the Alabama Accents Team. There's some beautiful pieces in it!


Just to let you know, I think Pat had a nice time of his birthday yesterday. We went for dinner on the water

and then for drinks at The Wharf.

As you can tell, it was a bit overcast yesterday evening,

but still a good time was had.

Now, to get some lunch and bust a move on some chores and the craft room re-do. I still haven't made it to the messiest, most worked-in area of the room. THAT'S going to be a BIG TASK!!! I'm still just trying to go through stuff and purge the items that I've had sitting around without use. I've yet to find many items to help with the redecoration/reorganization of it. But, I'm letting the ideas flow for now. I'll share the progress later in the week.

Having Fun with Tumblr

I'm going to try something new today.
I don't think I've mentioned this, but a while back I got myself a Tumblr blog. If you go to CraftyHope.com that's what you'll see. . .my Tumblr.

When I first signed up for Tumblr, I wasn't really sure what to expect. Since I've been on there I've found it to be a lot of fun and quite inspiring. Tumblr blog posts are as simple as a picture, a quote, a conversation, maybe some text. Overall, it's just eye candy.

I've decided that I'm going to begin "Tumblr Tuesdays" and share some of the beauty and fun I found on Tumblr over each week with you here.
*The links to most of these will take to to the original sites,  but I will not vouch for the stability or character of those sites. I just want to give them their due credit link.*

On Tumblr, I've found other Etsy listings (and inspiring quotes)

Wild Air

Screen caps from some of my favorite movies (and tv shows)

Harry and Ginny

Beautiful photography images

The Beach

Yummy-looking and artful food images

Rainbow cupcake

Fantastic art

Graffiti Cathedral

Decorating inspiration

Porch swings

Other bits of fun

Reading rainbow

I even make posts myself, like the newest listings from my shop

Blooming Buttons Necklace

I've really had a lot of fun playing around on Tumblr.
If you've also got a Tumblr blog, please follow CraftyHope and I'll follow you back! If you don't have one. . .no worries, I plan on sharing some of my favorite Tumblr finds each Tuesday from now on. Of course, I'd love to hear what you think of this new plan.

Celebrating the Little Victories

As I begin to seriously contemplate my New Year's goals and resolutions; I realize that I should have already made these decisions. At least I've got a few more days to nail them down.
In the meantime, let me fill you in on what I HAVE accomplished.

There was a bit of time spent in the craft room today. However, it wasn't as long as I had hoped since I've been feeling a bit under the weather. This is what the craft desk looked like when I left it.

As well, there's a new listing in the shop

Hard Candy Earrings

While I didn't do very much work (just left a comment) for this next accomplishment, I can't help but mention it. Today, I found out that I won the Thursday Giveaway on Andrew Thornton's blog. It's a wonderful collection of beads from SueBeads. I can't wait to play with them!!

And, since I'm really trying to get back into regular blogging habits, here's some links for you.
~*Crafty Links*~
Seeing as the weather has turned cold even down south where I am, my thoughts turn to fiber projects. Here are a few crochet ones. Maybe one day I'll learn to crochet something other than a single chain stitch. Anyway.

• How to crochet a hexagon 
• Crochet a rag rug from old t-shirts 
• And for some added warmth, another rag rug tutorial 

Totally Random Tuesday Links

• Hollywood is dead - A gallery of zombified movie posters from some of my favorite movies! You'll find more like this                                             
• Speaking of Harry Potter and Hollywood, check out this list of famous people/characters sorted into Hogwarts Houses
• And I know Christmas is over, but I think you can totally appreciate this Frank Lloyd Wright Falling Water gingerbread house anytime of year.

 So that's it. Back to work thinking over those resolutions. What's on your New Year's List?

Being Positive (WWWW)

After that little pity party over the condition of my house and lack of time, I think we'll go with something a little more upbeat today. I hope I didn't scare you off!!

Earlier in the week Crafty Chica made a post about what's going on with her and concluded it with a list of what she's groovin on. I did post a brief reply when she asked what her readers were groovin on too.

To continue that mood and show that I AM a positive person, I want to share what's making me happy (what I'm groovin' on)
-A clean and organized craft room
- LOML working up to play actual gigs (IN PUBLIC) again
- This recipe for a PB & J Parfait (these are the more healthy kind- yogurt, not ice cream)
- Re-reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in bed at night (albeit, a little too late into the night)
- Sneaking in some crafty time whenever I can
- Taking a trip to Hobby Lobby and then checking out the new Hancock Fabric store
- A clean house, mostly anyway
- Cleaning the house and cooking dinner with some GOOD jazz playing in the background (much more soothing than the tv I usually have on)
- Snacking on raw almonds (I've been obsessed with them for a few weeks now)
- You guys!! All of y'all stopping by here. Thanks!!

I hope you can see the positive parts of your life too!!

Let's do some "Wild, Wild Web Wednesday"!!

• Customizable, Kid-friendly browser. What a great idea. If you've got kids that wanna use the internet, this might be JUST the thing for you!!
  
• 21 movie posters made over with legos. I love movies and legos, so I thought this was cool!
  
• The drama button could very well be useful at some point. For now, it's just entertaining.
  
• Worst halftime shows
  
• The new economy cars

Now, let me know what kind of positive is going on in your life? What's making YOU happy right now?

Whew! Catching Up (TRT)

That was TOTALLY unintentional!! I had planned to blog but a whole host of other activities got in the way. I've been a busy girl:

First there was all the planning, shopping, packing, and driving to Grand Assembly in Birmingham. (Sorry Ben, I had NO free time to visit but would have loved to have seen y'all, trust me!!) Then there was the full weekend of Grand Assembly activities before heading home.

On the way home, I picked up half brother #2 (out of 3.) He and I got to pal around for two days (and go to the Harry Potter midnight showing) before the other two came for a visit. I also had the nieces that day. We had a blast and everyone got along so very well (see picture at top). Then brother #1 took #2 home while #3 got to stay for a few more days. Then, it was back to Verbena to take him home and a frantic drive back to Fairhope so I could have Margarita Friday with LOML.

The weekend was spent making gumbo with my mom and then a pool party at Wigenout's house for a Mobile Al Tweetup. Yes, it was a bunch of people who twitter relaxing in the pool and grilling out (that was before we started playing Rock Band.) Sunday was a complete day with LOML at last: brunch, the beach, dinner and beers, then another showing of Harry Potter (he hadn't seen it yet.)

It was back to the grind yesterday. And, I'm trying to get back in a routine today.Through all of that, I was as crafty as I could be: I made some handmade gifts for Grand Assembly and crafted at the beach the other day. Hopefully, I'll get back in the swing of that as soon as I can get the craft room in order. I'm a little scared of it right now. REALLY!
It's "Totally Random Tuesday" so here's some of the internet I found interesting:

• creative puns for smart minds
  
• Daily routines of writers, artists, and other interesting people. I don't know why I find this so interesting. I guess it helps me see these individuals as just regular people too, not just superstars
  
• cat going to the moon

Okay, so that's long enough. I just NEED to get this posted. I'll be back ASAP.

You Were Right!! (& MMSM)

Oh my, oh my!! I HAVE to admit that I was WRONG (I hope you're reading today, because this hardly ever happens ;) ) I read Twilight over the holiday and LOVED it. I twittered earlier today that I was emerging from a turkey-induce coma, but really - it was a Twilight-induced coma. I read and read. After finishing the first book, I searched frantically at bookstores and Wal-mart for the second. I finally found it yesterday afternoon in Mobile. I read until two in the morning and had a hard time leaving it at the house when I left for work this morning. As I'm leaving for Orlando on Wednesday morning, I can't decide whether to go ahead and buy the next two to take with me (if I can find them) or to take a break from the frenzy. It kills me to think about not reading them, but I'm also not sure that I will be able to pull my head from the pages if I take them. I've already made some rules for myself about when I get home tonight - no reading until I get dinner done and laundry started (I need clean clothes to pack.) I can get a little obsessive about books (I read each of the last several Harry Potter books in a matter of hours after they came out- no sleeping.) So, those of you who recommended Twilight to me - THANK YOU (and damn you for not letting me get anything done this weekend.)

Other than that - How was your Holiday? Did you see the parade? Were you falling off the couch when Macy's Rick Rolled all of us? I sooooo was. It was great. The parade is always worth it, but that just made it even more awesome. Of course, you should have seen me at the dinner table trying to explain what rick roll means to my grandmother. That was pretty amusing as well (especially since I had just finished off several glasses of wine.)

Since I had a rockin', reading holiday weekend that made me smile, let me share the wealth with you with some of the other things that made me happy on this "Made Me Smile Monday"

• Octoberfest parking sign (look at the rules)
• I had no idea chickens were such peacemakers - too funny
  
• While you've got some time in the bathroom, you might as well out it to a creative use: paint by numbers TP
• Muggle quiddich - AWESOME! I wish I was still in college and brave enough to start this up.
  
  
• A pirate church??

Okay, I've got to get back to focusing on what needs to get done.
Happy Monday all!!

I Crafted and then Made a Poll for You

Crap-ity, Crap! That's what I feel like right now. I started feeling icky yesterday, and it's still with me today. So, I'm at home 'resting.' Again, it's one of those all-in-my-head things. I'm tired, achy, dizzy, and nauseous. There's also some pain in the back of my head and neck. Hopefully, it's just sinuses and will go away soon as I've taken some sinus headache medicine.

Where can I start? I really got some crafting done over the weekend and felt quite proud of myself for getting some done from the craft-to-do box. See. . .These are some necklaces I finally got restrung. They needed it for different reasons.

These are two bracelets and a memory wire necklace that I started long ago and never finished. Here they are finished and looking pretty!

Lastly, these are some beads I had started making and left completely unfinished. With some paint and decorating, I think they're awesome. I even had time to turn some of them into a necklace (left).

I've been thinking quite a bit about the format of my blog. As I'm sure I've said before; this is the CRAFTY Hope blog and I feel that I may not include enough craftiness. As such, I may want to make some changes. I have several options of what I am thinking about doing and do want YOUR input. However, just because the vote goes a certain way does NOT mean that's how I will change. I just want some ideas basically. As such, I've created a poll (see sidebar to the right) of ways I may change the blog. Let me say that I use excel, delicious.com, and a feed reader to save sites and blog posts that I find interesting and may want to use or refer to. Most of these are craft blogs or pertain to creativity, but others are just some interesting links like I already post here. I want to start sharing these in some way and my blog seems the best option. Yet, I want your help to decide how or if I should do this. Take my poll, these are your options:

• First option - include more craft links in another blog. I've signed up for another blog name, but have yet to do anything with it. I'm trying to decide. I could just make that my more 'crafty' blog.
• Second, I could just post more craft stuff here. This would include all the other blogs and sites I find daily.
  
• Third, I can decrease the other links I share on a semi-daily basis and save these for just one or two days a week. This option includes removing some of the 'themes' I currently use.
  
• Forth, I can blog more about what goes on in my day-to-day life, more like a journal than I am now. This is mostly for those friends of mine who are visiting.
  
• Lastly, I can make NO changes and just keep going
• I can also make a combination of these changes.

Overall, I just want to know if you like the format I am using now and if you would be opposed to adding some more of the links that I actually save for myself, as this is my blog.

I have one more item for today - RANDOM ITEM!!
LOML* and I were watching 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" last night and recognized the Innkeeper at the Leaky Cauldron. We (HE) realized that it is Jim Tavare, one of the finalists on "Last Comic Standing." We thought that was pretty cool.

Anyway, TAKE MY POLL and give me some feedback. The poll will only be open through the month of August.

*LOML=Love of My Life

Craft Room Update (and TT)

I'll go ahead and admit it, I flaked on organizing the craft room last night. I spent so much time trying to get the two blog posts up and cooking dinner that when I finished watching a movie with LOML*, I was ready for bed. Hopefully, I have redeemed myself by doing 15 minutes this morning. I might get a chance to do another 15 minutes later today, but we'll see since I have my cousin's funeral this evening and a headache that just won't quit.

It's another "Techie Tuesday," which has just turned out to be the day I try to post the geeky links and tools that interest me. Hopefully, you're semi-interested.

• Here's a list of some color tools. I haven't really gotten to play with any of these yet.
  
• If you are a fan of sudoku puzzles like I am, this site will keep you engaged for a little while.
  
• I know I'm ready for the next Harry Potter movie (Book 6- The Half Blood Prince). Here are some photos from the upcoming movie. Beware, though, it just makes you more anxious for it to be released.
  

I'm going to tend to my aching head and try to get some work done. I should be back tomorrow with something wild!