handmade cass

Ever since I went to Alaska last year, I have been a little obsessed with matryoshka dolls .  I got these two sets while we were there (both made in Russia).   The bigger set in the back was from a fancy Russian store in Alaska, and I picked it because the dolls all have red hair like me.  Then afterwards the cruise we were on had some pretty inexpensive sets, so I got the set with strawberries and an itty-bitty baby doll. Frank!  Who knocked over the itty-bitty one? You can see just how tiny it is here.  The head is smaller than a pencil eraser. And I get a little thrill every time I see matryoshka designs online.  Apparently they are becoming quite popular in the crafty world.  Look what I found... I love EVERYTHING about this post from Polka Dot Prints Studio .  And I want to throw a party just so I can use these invitations and somehow find a way to get these cookies here all the way from Australia. Image credit: Naomi V Photography via polkadotprintsstudio.blogspot.com

I have to give a shout out to Listgirl for this one.  She is doing "30 Day of Lists" for September and I loved the idea.  However, I quickly realized I would fall behind after the second day.  So I am doing a book of lists that I update whenever I have a chance.  And like Listgirl, I am using a Smash Book which is so much fun I can't even handle it. The whole idea of a Smash Book (from EK Success) is to capture memories and get things into the book without too much thought or effort.  But being the Type A that I am.... I agonized over my opening page for about 2 hours.  It is still pretty bare and I'll keep adding to it I'm sure. Second list I did was about things I miss during a power outage, since all of San Diego went dark on Dan's birthday last week.  You can see I did a bit of story telling - so it's more like a journal than just a list. I was so excited to pull out my Hambly washi tape that I have been hoarding for a few months (and a few