Country Gal

Altered Bottle.

2011-10-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

I had this little ice tea bottle. Its glass and kind of a neat shape. I took some manga comics and covered the outside of the bottle. Then at the top I added bits of stuff I had. The comic pages are covered in Distress ink. Love that stuff. I like the leather antique feel this has.

Today I am working with bottle caps. They are painted silver and going to have some music notes in the middle. These will be pendents for necklaces my daughter and I will make for her section at band for the job well done they did this year. Going to make a few extra just in case they are a hit and she needs more. Hope to have them done in a few days.

This gal is one of my projets I did for school this week. I did several images but this one I liked the best. Its water colors. I think I might of found a medium I can work with. Just happy this person looks like a person. lol. At this point in learning to draw I am traceing and doing some free hand in one piece. I hope after time I will not need to trace so much to get a nice image of a person. Practice it what its going to take. Lots of doolles as well also. Also time which I seem to have little of lately. But winter is comming up fast and I will find I will have a little more time than normal. At least I hope I will.

Until next time.

2011-10-07T04:37:00.000-07:00

Just a little something to start off my new blog year. You can find these at http://www.redbubble.com/people/buster3. I think these would be so much fun as a note card set. Just a little something to cheer up anyone.

A year has flew by.

2011-10-07T04:32:00.001-07:00

Hello Blog Land. Wow a year has flew by and I have been away. So once again I have discovered you and I will be catching up on my art, life and other such wonderful things.

In short we are in my daughters senior year of high school. I continue to take classes to earn my bachelors degree in Graphic Design. We are still working, paying the bills and doing our best to handle the current economic situations and how it has effected us.

I have not listed anything in my etsy shop but I think that will change here in another month or so as I settle in for the winter and work on some neat crafty things. Also I found another source to sell my graphic designs and photos. I will be sharing that with you as well. And who knows what will come up before 2011 is all done and over with.

Its begining to look like Christmas

2010-12-07T11:56:00.000-08:00

The tree is up. And it has snowed. Its begining to look like Christmas around here.

2010-12-01T16:29:00.000-08:00

I have been playing!!! I have been reading and admiring ATC cards all over the net. People come up with the most creative cards. I wanted to try some for myself. But often got stuck on what to do. So as I declutter and clean my house I keep picking up bits of this and that. Garbage, or junk, stuff you just toss out. The cards are from box's that were from pop cans, or box potato's.

This one has a string from a dog food bag that is in a crochet chain. I glued it into a swirl. The edges are the binding part of the dog food bag. Made for a perfect little binding on this. Blue and white paint were setting on my desk so I went with a blue and white them. This one came out neat. In an abstract kind of way. It reminds me of space.

This one I made yesterday. I had a pop tab, bread wrapper, and a twist tie. They all do the same thing. Hold stuff close. So all on one ATC they went. This one is just really nothing but a few small object sitting on a card. But if you look hard I think they could be flowers growing there.

This one I like the most I think. The beads are made out of magazine paper. And I just painted. I thought when I was done that it look like rain on a window and as I look out there is a flower in the rain. This one I spattered the paint on it. That was very fun.

These little gems are fun. Bottle caps I got from our local club we go to from time to time. I just asked and got a bag full. Inside is beads, or buttons, a plastic piece and chain links. The resin keeps it all in there. Add a little glitter for glitz. Pretty little magnets for the refrigerator!!!

Its fun to work with little bits of junk from around the house. And best part is its all free craft supplies!!! Its good for the creative mine to use what you have and make some kind of art out of it.

Trying something new.

2010-11-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

I am trying something new. I created an account at Zazzel and created a poster with a saying one of the kids at school brought up. http://www.zazzle.com/born_this_way_poster-228893553954251094

I am not sure if this is the best way to go to sell some of my creative stuff. But I think for simple sayings and things I might be trying out it might be worth it. See what happens. Also check out http://shops.cafepress.com/Shop/Edit/DianeLeesShop For some simple fun t-shirts I designed as well.

I listed some more items in my Etsy shop so take a peek. I am trying to update it a few times in a week to keep it going. Hope to have more handmade things in there soon. Got to get busy sewing or painting or something. But I am still working on getting my craft space all orginized and its going very slow at the moment.

Internet theif of photos

2010-11-17T05:09:00.000-08:00

Just a note about my photos. I follow a few blogs and lately their photos have been taken and used in other publications or web sites. To me that is totaly wrong to take with out asking first.
If you happen upon my blog and wish to use one of my photos please ask.

Thank you.

New pet

2010-11-17T05:05:00.001-08:00

New pets. Yes that is a hissing cock roach. This little guy or more like we adopted 4 of them is now new additions to our family. Really they are my daughters pets. I will not touch them. She thinks they are very cool. Me I think they are creepy and slimy looking. But my daughter wants to be an entomologist and as a good parent I do what I can to keep her intrests up. Today cockroaches tomarrow who knows what else. I think these possibably could go with her to college and not many people would notice. lol.

2010-11-14T09:55:00.000-08:00

Summer has come and went and blogging has been on hold. Just a small photo update of things I did make. This is the little punkin made out of a paper mache punkin and I used dried beans to cover it. As you can see I got first place for this little guy!!! Good condisering I was spraying sealer on it the day we had to take our stuff to the fair.

I can not let the fact my daughter got second place with her entomology box!!! It was a tight race between her and her friend. I think she lost by 3 points. And the judge was looking hard to see what one box had and not the other. A small tiny antena was missing. lol. She worked hard on this and we are sending it to the PA State farm show in 2011!!!

This little dress I sewed up. It was fun and pretty easy. I got the yellow ribbon. lol. Which is ok. I enter sewing stuff to help fill up this catagory. They do not get much and the ladies are happy to see anyone enter sewing stuff. This year I will have to work harder on a few more things. I did enter a nightgown made out of sheets and a pair of pj bottoms. Those I am going to do again. Nothing too exciting to see. I want to make a nightgown that is a little more detailed this year. And made out of sheets again. :)

Much of my summer is out with hubby doing this. Blacksmith demostrating. We set up our tents and in there is a forge, anvil and tools. Also we run a rope making machine from time to time. And I knit or find a craft I can sit and demostrate to pass the time away.

Then there is this. The highschool band. My daughter plays the trumpet. She loves her band and her friends. We as good parents help with the band and spend every friday evening during football season at the football games. I am not sure how friday ends up blending back into mondays but during football season that is what happens. Its all good even though there are some cold evenings sitting on cold bleachers, visiting fields that are the pitts and pray the bleachers will not decide to fall down with our kids in them. Long drives in busses made for small students and not large adults. We have one more year and I am looking forward to it.

I am working though school one little class at a time. And working on small projects for Christmas like this.

With any luck with time and enough photos I will be putting togeather a calandar for gifts this year for my parents and sister. So I am doing some collages and some photo shop images. The idea is so that they can see what my family is up to all though the year. My sister lives out of state and misses out on a lot of my daughers activities. My parents live really close but are very active and dad works and they do not get to attend many of my daughters events. So they can have them to check out each month. :)

A small highlight of what I have been upto for the last months.

Finishing

2009-08-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

There is a satifaction in finishing a project. Start a project sometimes has questions. Is this going to come out as I invision? Will it work like I want it to? In the end will I like it or love it or hate it.

I finished up a project today.

It was easy. But took some time. The concept was easy to understand. The design was questionable because would it come out like I invisioned.

The project is for a fair entry. The catatgory is seed and bean art. My vision was to cover something in dry beans.

Dry beans are cheep and colorful and easy to find.

I wanted to recycle an item for this project.

I have a few ideas but limited choices and time in which to find them. Lets shop the thrift stores and yard sales!!!

My first idea was to find a figure made out of paper, carboard or wood. It can not have a lot of detail because the beans would cover it. The beans are their own detail on this. I could not find a figure.

On to my second idea. A wooden object. A tray, shelf or a box. I found a small tray for .25 cents. It was big enough, wooden and cheep. So I have the supplies now to get started!!!

Glue. Most times I do not put a whole lot of thought into glues. I have several kinds. My favorite is the hot glue gun. That thing can glue just about anything. But one it is hot. And two well not the best option for this project. It did work but burnt fingers are not fun. And it dried up too fast.
Onto Aleenes tacky glue. This stuff is great. First it is thick, second it does not dry up super fast. So you have time to place small beans into a larger area. And this glue also dries clear!

It took a week of working on this a little bit at a time to get all the beans glued on. Also in a design and fill in small little open spots. It looks great!!! And pretty. And it is kind of heavy.

The next thing is to seal this project with a sealer. Modpodge is a great product. It works as a sealer and kind of an extra glue layer. And it dries clean and shinny. Extra bang for your buck.

This will take today to dry. But it is done. I am quite pleased with the end result. And ready to head onto my next project. An apron I started and it needed finished. I have time today and will work on it.

The process sometimes can take time. Let it be an art project, house project, or your own self. First thing is to start, work on it and then plan on a finish.

My self project has started. I need to move forward on it. Today I shall take a walk, lift my little weights, eat some fruit and plan on having a veggie for dinner. Adding on a little bit at a time to achieve the finished product. This is going to take a long time. But in the end it will be worth it.

Until then art will keep me busy. It will keep my mind on track. And it might answer some questions as to why and how I got to where I am.

Pictures will be posted by tomarrow. So check back. :)

small steps

2009-08-05T06:52:00.000-07:00

Today I woke up and did small things.

Ate a bannana

Worked with a 2lb weight on my arms.

Worked on an art project.

Waxed my eye brows. ( do you ever just wake up one morning and realize those small hairs above your eyes are a bit too bushy and wild?)

Got dressed.

Watched the news.

For the rest of today I have to do more.
Take clutter from my house to the thrift store. It is good to get that stuff out of my house. So much more needs to go.
Take A to the dr's for she has not been feeling well.
Return library books.
Do my homework.
Prepare dinner or go out.
Clean the kitchen and work on doing the laundry.

I have lots to keep me busy.
Somewhere in the day I should work in a walk.
And I need to find healther foods to eat if we go out for lunch today.
I need to love fruit as a snack. Bannanas are very good so are cherries.
I need to remember that food is not the answer to boredome.
Boredome does not mean that you are bored or have nothing to do. It just means that something else in my head is going on that I need to address. What I have no clue.

I need to remember that I need to start today to loose this weight. It is not good for me. It is not fun thinking you need to buy a larger size. It is not fun thinking that nothing looks good on you. And it is not fun not feeling like I am pretty any more.

Small steps is what I am going to do on this journey. I hope to a smaller me.

Starting point

2009-08-03T05:51:00.000-07:00

Starting point.

A place

A journey

A race

A trip

or An adventure.

Today I am going to start on a goal.

Small steps today.

Bigger steps tomarrow.

I am not sure where this will take me.

But I have to start

Somewhere

Sometime

Today is the day

of a new adventure.

Hopeful

Healthful

Fun

Exciting

Scarry

New Adverture.

A clown to be discovered.

2009-07-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

While going though my mother in laws items I sometimes come across things that require looking them up to discover who and what they are. In this case it is a who and the what is a doll that is a clown.

His name is Bombo. It took me two days to figure out who Bombo might be. Chuck McCann is an actor. I do believe that he might still be alive. There was a show he did as Bombo the clown. It was called The Great Bombo's Magic Cartoon circus lunch time show.

Here is Chuck McCann's Bio. http://www.filmreference.com/film/39/Chuck-McCann.html

Now this man did many children's shows and played many charters. Bombo who I was trying to find information about is suppose to be in the TV hit show Knight Rider. Remember Kitt the talking car?? Yes that show.

Back to Bombo's Magic show. Yes there is a DVD. Or sort of http://www.atomicmall.com/view.php?id=71655 The show when aired at the time was preformed live. So there is not much on any kind of film. Sad but true.

On further digging http://www.tripatlas.com/Chuck_McCann McCann was in so may TV shows. The list is long but interesting. Because I watched many of those shows. I will have to pay attention to the reruns to realize who this man is. Oh he was in Sabrina the Teen Age Witch.

What is odd I can not find any information on this doll. Normally I could find other dolls. Condition and what they sold for. This doll there is nothing. I mean it is like he never was. But yet here he is and his tag claims he is Bombo the Clown. So who is to dispute that?? OK I can but still with out a picture somewhere on the web so I can see if this is him or not. Needless to say it is a mystery item that I will list on eBay and take the chance that he might be something. Or not. It is hard to tell with unknown items. Because sometimes that one weird, unknown items might mean something to one or two or three people. Anything past one is a score. But hey one never knows. Bombo might be that treasure I have been looking for. Then again he might just be another doll who we found and was unloved and put away in a plastic bag for over a generation. He was in the same spot for the 17 + years I known my husband. The poor guy was probably in the same spot for 10 years or even 20 years before that for all I know. Things in my husband parents house did not move around much. Pretty much once they found a home that is where they stayed.

Bombo will be listed on eBay this evening. I will list him for 5 days. And see what happens. I am not sure about the starting price. My gut tells me not to start him off too low but yet not very high. Around the 25.00 range. So I might just do that.

All I do know is that Clowns are not a favorite in my house. And Bombo needs a home to go two. Hopefully someplace where he will be loved and not put in a plastic bag and sat on a shelf for a few more generations until someone else discovers him.

Listed on Etsy!!

2009-07-09T05:36:00.003-07:00

I am jumping in and got my shop going on Etsy. I have some very pretty doily's listed. I have so

many that doily is going though my mind like crazy.

I did not make these doily's. They were crochet by my Mother in Law way back before I even knew of her.

I was so sad to see them all stuffed into a plastic bag. Enjoyed for the moment she made them but yet somehow forgotten about for a life time.

She did beautiful work. She had 3 boys and no girls. She should of had girls because she made pretty things.

I am listing them on Etsy. dlstein is my user name. Artist at Play is the title of my shop.

I listed these lovely things under vintage, crochet and doilys. So hopefully someone will come across them and fall in love.

Fun playing with old records.

2009-07-08T06:16:00.000-07:00

It is summer and time and this is my time to get things cleaned out. Listed on ebay and now etsy. And while going though the pile of junk I have I sometimes find things that are no good to list but intresting enough to do something with them.

Yesterday I decided to go though some 78 rpm records I brought over from my mil's house. I have no clue if my husbands parents listen to them. Or if they were bought at an auction. But there they were found by my brother in law as he was going though stuff. All in a box that was falling apart. The top few records were clearly damaged from lack of care.

I decided to pair up the records with the same labels. Picked out the broken ones. Listed the good ones. I emailed a friend to see if she could use them in her art. She suggested that I make bowls out of them.

Enter the world of Google. Or Swag bucks. I use both. I got a list of good sights, two videos on how to make bowls out of old records. And then the fun began!!!

This is a great project for teens.

First clean your record. A little dish washing soap and water will do the trick. Dry the record. This is important because your bowl will come out all funky looking if you do not. One method is to put the record on an old cookie sheet at 200 -350 degrees for 1-2 Min's. Until soft. Take out of oven and place record over a bowl and shape.

The other method is to place an oven safe bow on top of the cookie sheet. Put the record on top of the bowl and place in oven for the 1-2 Min's. Then when soften shape record into desired shape.

On further searches I found out that records make great clocks also. I am sure there are other uses.

I am using my bowls to hold little junk stuff on my desk. It works great.

Gone once again.

2009-06-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

Gone for months once again. Between computer trouble, school work, work and taking care of family blogging got pushed way back to the back of the pile of things to do. I figure try again and try to make it a habbit. lol.

For now I am going to reorginize and figure out where I want to start up again. Either with projects, Current activites, saving money, making money. So many ideas and yet I do not know where to start.

See you in a day or two.

A lot of nothing. But there might be something.

2009-04-17T04:43:00.000-07:00

Life here is rolling right along. I just got done with some paper work that needed done and mailed by today. Off it will go and out of my hair. I do a newsletter for our tractor club. Its all done and all mailed off yesterday. Another thing out of my hair. And we have a schedule or rather I have a schedule for getting our bathroom floor tiled and done. Hopefully hubby will have the backer board down this weekend. And we might even get the tile done. I am willing to stay up later to get this project done and out of my hair. Do you see a them here. lol.

On to better things. I made homemade donuts again. Recipe found here. Look under the recipe section for homemade donuts. I made mine a little different. Instead of 3 cups of the white flour, I used 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour. The donuts came out just as good and moist. I did find out that if you glaze the donuts they stay softer longer than if you sugar them.

Its going to be 70 degrees out. So I think I will make it outside to clean things up and get the gardens ready for plants. The grass needs cut. So starts the weekly grass cutting. lol.

We did get some new additions to our family. They are degues. They are so cute. We adopted them off a family who could no longer take care of them and give them attention. We had one already. So we figure why not 2 more. My daughter takes care of them. They get lots of attention from her. And us for now since they took residence in my dinning area for now.

I will leave you with this.

A knitting project. A shawl that did not make it. I froged it and started on another one. I think this one might take. 3rd times a charm. I also started on a log cabin afghan block. I think I like this block. And its a great take along project as well.

Have a great day.

The reality of paying off the bills.

2009-04-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I made myself a promise I would pay off the 3 credit cards I had. They did not have huge balances. But still for me they were big enough and the fiance fees just kept the balance going up and up. Finally I came up with a plan that would work for me and I hoped and prayed that it would do the trick. And well it did. It was a crazy kind of plan. Pay the darn credit cards a little each week. I set up my bill payments online so that each week a small 10.00 check went out to each credit card. I did not miss the small amount each week. For some reason 30.00 a week broke down into 3 small 10.00 payments looked better than sending out 30.00 a week to each credit card and one would be late all the time. This way they all got paid and got paid over the minimum balance and paid on time. My finance rates went down. My balance went down and one credit card is paid off. I am looking at the second one. And its almost paid off. Funny to watch that total go from 500.00 to 490.00. Suddenly its seems smaller and its is. Then from 400.00 to 390.00 again amazing to see such a small number, but from under 300 to now it will be under 100.00 next month!!! OMG amazing. A light at the end of the tunnel. Its been a long road. It started off being foolish and stupid. Thinking at a time when we had no money that using a credit card would help us get though until we can hopefully pay it next month. Only it never happen next month or the next or the next. They called, sent notices and I did not want to get the mail or answer the phone. Now today the phone does not ring, and its not so bad getting the mail anymore. I do not want anymore credit cards. And if I do use one. A check will go out right the next day within hours of using it to pay it off asap. No more counting on being able to pay it in the next month. Because next month something else comes up and well the whole situation will start over again.

I have been feeling better again and can once again enjoy baking and cooking. I need to work that frugal mojo and cut back and save as much as I can. Also loose some weight along the way and get this family on a healthy diet once more. It feels good to have plans and goals that you know you can accomplish once again. Oh did I tell you. I am planning out the veggie garden. I think it might get warm enough to plant some onions here soon. And clean up the yard. Good fresh air and exercise. All in the master plan of keep us happy, healthy and rolling out of debt.

Next time as soon as I get my camera some good battries I will have pictures!!! We all love a good picture.

Cake, rum, and finished projects!!!

2009-03-31T14:53:00.001-07:00

I bought this at the thrift store for 1.49!!!

My bunt pan. Its very pretty and its very heavy. That I like. I do not like wimpy baking stuff.

I made rum cake. The recipe you can find here. Search under the recipes at around Christmas time. You will find it. Better yet sign up for the forum and find it there.

See my pretty cake on a pretty summer plate. And mm its good.

You will need lots of this.

A cup full. 1/2 for the cake and 1/2 for the glaze. Give or take a little for yourself. I tried both dark and light rum. What ever you have on hand will work. My family will vouch for that.

I finished up some sewing today as well.

I stuffed and sewed up 3 dog bone pillows. Sewed up 3 stuffed eggs. And under all that is a chicken/egg swap that is done. And I can not show yet.

I love productive days like today. The cake I made yesterday. Its 1/2 gone. lol.

After dinner I will take a walk with my kid and the dog. I hope to be walking at least a mile 3 days a week at the very least. I want to work up to everyday then be walking several miles a day by summer.

All the material I used for my projects I had in my stash. :) Got to love that. The pillows will go into the gift box. Free gifts. The eggs I hope to use as decorations at Easter for my table.

Dinner is spaghetti. I had the noodles in the pantry, the sauce was in the pantry, hubby did have to stop for garlic bread. 2.29. :( and cheese. 1.49. :( But its way less than going out. A nasty little habit I am trying to break in order to save us some money.

I just discovered blogger has a spell check!!!! Love love that!!!

. .

The middle of the week.

2009-03-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

I think we all glad to see Wed get here. Its the middle of the week. In two days it will be Friday. So it does not seem so bad going to work if you think of it that way. lol.

Today it is raining out. We need to the rain. But I am looking forward to some sun and warmer weather. Thankfully it is not snowing out. It could be snowing and not raining. So I am thankful for the rain. :)

As I said before I started another baby sweater. Is it weird to knit little baby sweaters when you are not expecing or have any babies anywhere around you??? Practice is what I call it. lol. And you get something in the end. I can donate them when I am done.

Here is the start of it. So far not too bad. And looking good. The yarn I got at the thrift store for 1.99 for 2 skeins of it. 2 oz each. And I am a bit worried I will not have enough. :( I need to learn to pay attention to the pattern directions. lol The pattern called for 5 1oz skeins. So I might make it. Or just make it or not at all. The yarn is Berella, Sportsspun by Bernt. Its 60% orlon acrylic and 40% nylon 3 ply. I have no clue what that all means but its pretty yarn.

The Pattern is from this little booklet. The cover with that girl on it is so funny. She looks scared to learn to knit. lol.

The price on this booklet is only .35Cents!!! You can not get a booklet for that price anymore. There are a few cute projects in it like this one I am working on.

It looked easy enough. But it has pushed me past my knitting confort zone. The back and fronts are all one piece. The sleaves are seprate and you conntect them all togeather. And you have all these decreases for the arm holes. I might make it to the end if I have enough yarn and do not get frustrated during the process. Oh and #2 knitting needles are skinny. I used the 2's because 1 Walmart did not have #1. And I did not have time to go searching for #1. So they will be on my list to be on the look our for #1 knitting needles. That is if they even still make them?? Who knows.

That is knitting fun for this week. On school end of things I have created these.

I have been thinking of how to be more frugal and crafting. One decision is to not buy brand new yarn. Thrift stores and garage sales are loaded with cheep almost free yarn. So I will use that source. The choises might not be mine but I can be flexable. I have access to lots of patterns also. Mostly vintage. But I also have access to the library!!! So if I feel the need to explore new knitting books I can check them out of the library. :) Plus I have internet loads of free patterns there to check out. So many that if you wanted to try each and every one of them you could not do it in a life time. lol.

We did well eating at home this week as well. The family is really happy to have home cooked meals. So much better then eating out. Tonight we are getting wings from the local firehall. Which we love wings and it supports our firemen. So not too bad. This weekend I will cook at home. Tonight I will make up cupcakes for us. I need to use up stuff in my pantry stash so that its not wasted. :)

A small alteration and some eggs.

2009-03-23T15:34:00.000-07:00

Have you checked out the blog Warbrobe refashion?? You should there are so many creative people on there recreating their clothing to make into new stuff. Stuff like adult shirts, t-shirts and sweat shirts are turned into little kids shrits or skirts or pants. Mens dress shirts are made into womans skirts and tops. Stuff with holes or stains are covered with embroidery and paint. The possibilities are endless and fun. So I started with my own little refashion. Just a small alteration on a vest for my dd.

And then I made these cute little fabric eggs. They are from Retro Mama got to love a blog name like that. Hers look so much better than mine. But they are quick and easy to do. I would follow her directions about the streatch of the fabric because I does make a diffrence. I have to sew up the sides yet while watching tv. I think they shall sit on my computer desk in a small clear bowl. :)

Spring has arived!!!

2009-03-23T04:03:00.000-07:00

Spring has arived and I think it is here to say. Although for some reason the Weather man on WTAE keeps saying we could still get snow. I wish he would not do that.

Things going on this past week. Friday I was home and I decluttered the sewing area. The dishes are done, I took a walk around the lake yesterday. And drove the family nuts as I tried to work no my final project for school. It did not come out as I planned and I am not happy with myself at all. But we will see where it takes me. Its not due until next week.

I knitted 2 cat toys. :) Kitty is happy to have new toys. And they are big also. He is a big cat so big toys are a must. I started another baby sweater also. It is a vintage pattern. Very cute. I think I am going to post the directions here. This is going to be a more complicated pattern to me because its more than just knitting squares. lol.

And that is it. I have a list of swap stuff I need to work on this week and get them in the mail. Then think about other projects to use up the fabric stash I have here. I made myself a promise to not buy brand new yarn. I discovered my Salvation Army usally has yarn unused for sale for 2.99 for 3 skeins. While the color is not what I might like its cheep and I can make stuff and sell it and make a little profit. I just do not have a yarn budget at this moment this is a very frugal way to get yarn. I just can not be picky is all. :)

I have started to walk again like I said. Today I told myself I will go again. I will be makeing some goodies at home also. Bakeing!!! But I have found out that I can make muffins and stuff at home and its a bit more better for us. Before I had my accident I was looseing weight by walking and not eating packaged goodies from the store. It was starting to work also. So I am going to try again. This time I have a bit more weight to loose. But I think I will be able to get it done.

Busy busy and plans.

2009-03-20T09:39:00.001-07:00

I have been very busy lately. School takes up a good bit of time during the week. Learning about design and graphic art is not all so easy. But its fun and intresting and I am starting to feel like I am getting this stuff and I might just be an artist someday soon.

I whiped up a sock block for our sock block swap at sew good friends.

Made this fabric post card. I chose to paint it. And there is a lot of glitter on this. I must of been in a glitter mood that day. Still I think its kind of cute.

I knitted this baby sweater set. Its made out of recycled yarn. It was a childs sweater. I thought the yarn was kind of neat. So I took the sweater apart and reused it for some projects. This is the last of it I think. I hope.

Today I had taken a vacation day from work. And I promised myself I would tackle my dinning room. The place where everything lands. And it is also where I sew and craft and do ebay when I have time to sell stuff. Sadly the place has gotten to the point where it was hard to move around in. Let alone work on anything productive. So I cleaned and decluttered. I am almost done. :)

I have a pile of stuff to sell, a place to put projects and fabrics, and packageing stuff. When I am done I will have a table to work on again.

So the plan is to use what I have. Since I have tons of fabric that was my mil's or I picked up at garage sales. I will have to use it or sell it or give it away. I just do not have room to keep it all. So I will be on the look out for projects. I might try my hand at a quilt or two. I think I will do some wall hangings if nothing else.

Since I taught myself to knit and love it. I will be working on my knitting projects as well. I discovered so far I do not have a large yarn stash!!! That made me happy. Less clutter. lol. But I do have some yarn that there is not enough for anything large. So I will be knitting baby sweater sets, booties, cat toys and any small quick project I can find. This will also give me some great practice and a chance to try out some vintage patterns I have claimed from my mil's house. I can either give these things away, sell them or save as gifts. See how fast and good I get at this knitting stuff. lol.

March!!

2009-03-05T11:42:00.000-08:00

It seems like forever since I been here last. But so much has happen. Both my dd and I got sick. Then well there is school work to be done. And takeing my dd to play practice and work and life and well you know. It all happens all at one time all so fast.

So a little up date. I got on the knitting needles a baby sweater. And after printing off the direction I realized there was no picture of what this is going to look like!! So its going to be a surprise I guess. The yarn is recycled from a sweater I bought at the thrift sometime last year. I am just hope I have enough to get this sweater set togeather. lol.

I have swaps I am doing. A sock block swap and a fabric post card swap. Both are quite fun. And keep me in a creative mind.

As always in my life I am forever trying to get our finance strighten out. More like try to spend less and pay off debt. The spending less part lately has not been easy. Fuel oil prices are up and down, gas is up and down, food is expensive. Below zero temps does not make coupon shopping easy. Its not fun going out in the frozen cold running from store to store. So I pretty much keep to Walmart to get everything I need. I do not always save in that store grocery wise.

One good thing on the lowering the debt is that I have one credit card on the brink of being paid off!!! At the 6 month mark I started to write on the bill in big black marker how many more months I had to go yet to see that zero balance. Today I got the bill in the mail!!! And I am down to the 2 1/2 month mark!!!! This credit card was over 600.00. And in stupid stuff like late fees and finance charges!! OMG how could I be that stupid. My plan was quite easy. Pay on this darn thing weekly. Yes weekly. I already paid off one cc in this same manner. This will be my second. I pay 10.00 a week toward this bill. I have it set up to be automatic sent out from my bank account. So far no one from the cc companies ever complained about being paid in this manner. Well not that is a lie. I did ask about it one time and the only thing they told me is that it messes up how they figure out the intrest rate or finance charge. And what happen is my finance charge went down. lol. No one called me to say "hey send only one check please. " Or that they will not accept my checks. They take each and every one. :)

School is going fine. I have a date with filling out forms for financial aid tonight. Hate doing this. But it is the only way I can get though school.

I also have a date with finishing up my tax's and get them done. I only have my local to do now and its an easy form.

The sun is out today and its warmer. So if the teen is willing I will take her on a quick bug hunt over at the park. Her 4h club is having a open house later this month and we all wanted live bugs to show off to potential new members. :)

I have a few pictures to show you later. You know fun things like crafts, play, homework projects. So stay tuned.

2009-02-06T04:47:00.000-08:00

Last weekend it was nice and warm enough to go for a walk. A bridge down the road from me is being replaced. So we went to check it out. They just started on it and its going to be awhile until its done. But kind of intresting to see it started.

It was also a change to get the family out of the house. We all needed some freash air. Even though the teen said she did not want to go. But her dad made her come anyways. In the end she had a good walk with her dad.

Everything is so frozen here. This weekend we should have warmer weather. I cant wait. I want to get out and walk again to loose some weight off this body. Ever since my accident I miss my walks. Hopefullly I can get back into it slowly again with no complications.

I do have some projects to show you. I need to take pics of them so by next week I should have them up and ready for you. So much going on right now. I am finishing up a class, and school is a mear

3 1/2 months away!!!! Its hard to believe that May is just around the corner.

Steelers Win

2009-02-02T04:24:00.000-08:00

I forgot to tell you where I got the picture!!! It was from the tribune Review. I posted links in my post for you to go there.

2009-02-02T04:09:00.000-08:00

We got 6 Count them 6 SuperBowl Wins!!!! Congrats to our Steelers!!!!! It was a very exciting game. For a very short while at the end I thought the other team had truly won. But the Steelers were not quitting!!! They pulled out that touch down at the last moment!!!

The paper is full of stories this morning. Check them out. We watched as a family. Ate too much, stayed up late. My dd is paying the price this morning so tired. I felt bad that I sent her to school. Kind of . lol. In the City Schools have a 2 hr delay . It was set up that way so the kids in the City could watch the game and celebrate and stay up late. My dd wish her school would of done that.

I was looking though the photo gallery. For the local paper. You got to check it out. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/dailyphotogallery/?

d=2009-01-29 There are some amazing shots of fans, and the wild weather we had lately.

Have a good one. I am off to get ready for work and see if Phil sees his shadow.

Drawing class project.

2009-01-30T16:14:00.000-08:00

Learning to draw at my age. I must be nuts. But I want a degree in Graphic Arts so I take the class. Here is my latest project. Its a profile of my dd. Its a bit flat. And If I can get her to sit still again tonight I want to do another one with more detail.

Its a first attempt at this so I do not think its too bad.

Snow, rain and cold? Ick

2009-01-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

We made it though the storms of this week. I hope its all over for awhile. I can do without winter until next year. lol. Sorry no pictures. Nothing very pretty out. Its kind of muddy looking with snow mixed in. lol.

I am starting to shop at CVS and work with the extra bucks again!!! I hope I can do well in rolling them over to get free stuff. I was before. Its a lot of work but oh so much fun walking out the door paying nothing or only a few cents for your purchases. And we pretty much use everything I buy, and what I do not use I will pass on to others. :)

I live in Steeler Country!!! So we are gearing up for the Super Bowls this weekend!!! Everywhere you look you can see Steeler signs, tshirs, flags. Oh the fans gets into having fun and there are pep rallys, stories on the news and all kind of fun. KDKA Channel 2 will be visiting our school tomarrow. (that is if we have school due to bad weather) We are having a pep rally. I hope they come down the cafteria to see all the decorations. Its really neat looking.

I am amost done with my embroidery project!! I just need to figure out what to do with it? Frame it, make a small pillow? Dresser scarf? Dont know yet. I also am working on a pair of PJ bottoms and I should finishing them up here today as I wait to go and get my dd from school.

Sorry to get all over the place. But I have one more thing. If you have a Cabela's near you. Visit this store!!! Even if you do not hunt, fish or camp. Its worth takeing a peek in there. They have clothing too ladies. :) Ours in WV has a awasome fish tank. And lots of stuffed animals. We enjoyed an afternoon visiting this place. And plan on going back when we saved up a little money so we can spend some. lol. And have lunch. The food there looked very good. We did not have time to have lunch the day we went.

So that is what is going on with me these days. I hope to update the blog with some sale fines, or freebies and finished projects!!!

Walmart sale fines

2009-01-23T12:50:00.000-08:00

Went to Walmart today and the thirft store. I had to call off work today so I can meet the oil man and let him in to fill up our tank. My dd stayed home because she was not quite feeling well this morning. But as noon approached and the sun came out I could not stay home any longer. The oil guy came and went so I had the rest of the day to do what I want. So we went shopping. lol.

At Walmart I found Holiday Clear Stamps on sale for .50 cents!!! I picked out one of each kind. Also some pretty ribbon for .25cents!!! Also Christmas them. I will put them away for next year and hopefully make some nice cards or something with them. Sadly I also found out that Walmart raised their price of their brand of pop to .78 cents. :( That is really bad. I can probably find name brands for that much and hubby likes Coke better anyways. So its back to shopping sales for pop again. Wish hubby can learn to drink water or tea.

At the thrift shop. I first droped stuff off. Then we went in. :) I found a nice leather coat for dd for 15.00!! It had an Express lable in it. And really it looks like new. Very cute for my teen. I found 2 tshirts for me. And dd found a old mans hat that she liked. For something like .50cents I got it for her. I am not a fan of those old man looking hats for girls but she seemed to enjoy it. The price was right for a small fad. lol.

I plan on doing some coupon shopping this weekend. I have not been out in 2 weeks. So I am looking forward to going. I need to stock up on a few items. So the search is on!!!

I am makeing progress on my embroidery probject. Cant wait to see it all done. I also have a drawing due today. And I am having artist block as to where I want this one to go. It look like I will be at it off and on most of the evening.

I did finish up my project that was due yesterday. Here it is. Not at all the best. But I am a beginner. So its ok.

Changes, new projects!!

2009-01-22T05:22:00.000-08:00

I have decided to change the name of my blog. I was thinking that while I love to knitt I have many things I love to share with you. I wanted a simple title to describe me. So Country Gal it is. I do live in the country. Not far from small to medium towns. I am not fancy, do live a country life. So why not.

I am working on some embroidery. I am shareing a sneek peek with you today. :) I hope by the end of this weekend I will have the emboridery part done. Then what to do with the rest?? I am not sure yet.

I am also going to school for Graphic Arts. I am takeing a drawing class this time around and so far I am really enjoying it. This is a little of what I drew for this assignment. I am not sure if I will do it over again or turn it in as is. I have it sitting on my desk so I can look at it and decide on what to do. The last time I drew something that look like anything was when I was a kid. So I am so new at this. I am just amazed I can draw stuff and it looks like the object I am drawing. lol. It does show you can teach a old dog new tricks!!!

Something else new for this year. I got an Etsy account!!! I figure why not sell some of the things I am going to make this year. I have one apron up for sale now. I am planning on makeing more. I will not be sure what will end up in the shop from one month to the next. Some of it will be vintage. Some new. Some mixed. As soon as I get things going I will have a link for you to click and you can take a look at what I got.

Some old things is I will be selling on ebay. Right now I kind of ran out of things to list. Got to take a trip to the other house and see what is there. Its been so darn cold that leaving the house to drive a mile up the road is not worth it. The car does not even warm up. It just about warms up from my house to work. lol.

I hope to toss in some frugal tips here and there. Share my couponing shopping adventers. And how I am going to save on gift buying. Seems like these things all come up when you are broke. So shopping the sales, and makeing things will be done and ready before any big celebration like Birthdays and Christmas. :)

Welcome 2009!!!

2009-01-20T04:55:00.000-08:00

Here we are 2009. And well into Jan. We have snow and cold and more snow. Also there was rain and mud and yuck to start off our new year. I so do not like winter.

But on a brighter side of things it snowed and it got a wee bit warmer and its like a winter wonder land around here. That I can stand to enjoy for about a week. Then I hope it warms up again. :)

Here are some pics.

The holidays are comming up fast!!!

2008-11-24T04:45:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is this week. Can you believe it?? I cant. This year went by so fast. We were so busy that its almost a blur. All the stuff we did and was involved in this year. It was crazy!!!

From Football games and helping with the band.

To setting up at local festivals this summer

And me takeing Graphic art classes at Pittsburgh Art Institue online.

I am thankful for good health in 2008, no one wrecked yet this year, and bills all got paid, some got paid off and still working on it. Not many crafts got done this year. But there is always next year. And I am learning how to draw so I might have some new stuff to make up and show you. All my own creations. Which I am excited about dreaming up. lol.

Speaking of new drawings. Here is my latest assignment. Drawing in 2 point perpective. I am really getting good at drawing box's. lol. Actally I was thinking this would make a neat embroidery project.

So think of what you are thankful for. What did you do this year?? NewYears if fast approaching and we need to think back and look ahead to new and exciting things in our lives!!!

Twlight is tonight

2008-11-21T04:30:00.000-08:00

Have your kids read Twlight yet?? Its a huge hit at my daughter school. I swear 80% of the kids are going to see this movie.

Nothing like a good Vampire storie to get a kid all excited. I have not read the book. And I am not going to see the movie. But I did agree to help out to go and get tickets for my daughters small group of friends that are so eager to go tonight.

I guess what was kind of cool is that my daughter arranged this whole outing. Someone had the idea and she took the ball and ran with it. First all the kids going had to read the book and had to finish the book so there are no spoliers. Everyone agreed. And they did all read and finished their books. There was a lot of reading this past week. lol. Everyone had to turn in their ticket money by Wed. They did. And some of the kids had to arrange for parents to take them to the movie theater. Because this mom did not have room in her small car for 7 or 8 kids. lol. Kind of miss my van right about now. Because it would of been kind of fun to load it up and take them all togeather. But we are meeting up with them.

Hubby and I will have a little date or walk around the mall. Or see a moive. We did not decide yet. lol.

2008-11-20T04:42:00.000-08:00

For Nov's swap over at Sew good friends. I created this turkey post card. I think he is cute. But sadly I do not think it is my best work. I was a bit rushed when doing this. I see his one leg is longer then the other. And the vine could be neater. But I like the over all idea of it.

I have more listed on ebay!! I love ebay. I wish people were buying more. Its so exciting when you see the autction being bidded up. Its not the amount of money. Its just fun seeing what people like to bid on.

I wonder if anyone would like these cute guys??

Or this sweet girl?

Mr Peanut anyone?

Or 2 beautiful pheasant birds.

From Summer to fall to winter.

2008-11-19T04:28:00.001-08:00

Last I got to blog was in Sept when we had our Annual Old Fashion Days at the fire department. Now its Nov and so much has happen. Sadly I did not get to keep up with my blog again. We can all wish for more time I guess.

Here is what I have been up too.

1. School. I am attending The Pittsburgh Art Institue On Line. I would recomend this school to any mom who wants to go back to school but has little time to drop or find babysitters for the kids. Its a nice perk to attend school in your PJ's. lol. And the classes are fast. At 5 1/2 weeks you learn alot. Amazing at that is. But there is no time to slack off. Well woth the money to go.

2. Work. Oh the joys of being a lunch lady. But I have to say that this year has been good. Not much fighting among the ladies. lol. You know how it is when you get a bunch of woman working togeather. Not always a pretty sight. But we do pretty well over all. And that makes going into work eaiser. Seeing I do not much like my job.

3. Finding my house. I am on a quest to catch up on almost a years worth of house hold duites. So much has piled up since my accident, then we got so busy this summer and well its a bit much over all. So I am doing a little here and there. Slowly its starting to look like someone cares around here. Except we lost the remote to the tv the other night. Its gone??

4. Not much crafting going on. And that is sad. But soon I promise I have plans to get back into it. Plus I think we are looking at a long winter. I got to do something to make the days go by faster. lol. Plus it might not seem so cold.

5. I started up my ebay again!!! So here is a sneak peek before I go. Hope you will enjoy it. For the moment I have lots of Occupied Japan stuff to list. Salt and pepper shakers and little nick nacks. All so cute. This is stuff from my mil's estate so I am selling them and split the money with my bil. While this stuff is so cute. Haveing the extra cash for Christmas is also nice.

This is a one point perpective picture I did for an assignment I had this week. Keep in mind that I am 41 and I never learned to draw. Now I am learning. Its not too bad. It can be better. I am enjoying doing it over and trying to make it better. Each time I discover something new that I can do. Its very exciting.

I have to give credit for the inspiration of how to take nice looking pictures. Doe C Doe takes the most wonderful images of the cute thrift store finds she gets. It does not matter what the subject is she can take a great picture of it. I think she can make poop look all so cute. lol.

Busy busy weekend!!!

2008-09-22T04:43:00.000-07:00

Another busy weekend for me and my family. We had a football game. We lost. On Sat we had a demo at a local firemans festival. Sat night a band festival. Sunday back to the firemans festival. We are all a bit tired and run down this morning to say the least.

Some high lights of our weekend.

If you are wondering. It's a UFO.

Our traveling blacksmith shop

What do people in the country do for an

afternoon of fun??? Have a burn out contest of course!!!

Burn out pit.

Remember those empty stands. All full with people who come to watch cars burn out the tires on their cars!!! See all the smoke!! Where else can you have this much fun??

More weekend highlights tomarrow.

Working on new art

2008-09-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

I am inspired by altered art. I want to try it. I want to do it. I need to learn how to do this altered art stuff. And the things I can make. Endless amounts of wonderfulness waits to be created from inside my head.

First of all I am a pattern type of girl. I got to have a pattern to bring to life anything I make. But lately I have been thinking that I can come up with my very own designs and create my own patterns.

But I get off topic. As I had mentioned I stared a small altered art book. Its an elementary start to this quest of art. Its not as interesting as all those wonderful interesting things out there. But I am a beginner and I have limited things to use so far. Although my mind is considering many of the thing in my house to be used in this type of art. And whats not to love if you can glue, paint, and combine many fun things to create one art object.

So here is my attempt so far in my journey of altered art.

This is the first pages. I added glitter paint. And some neat yarn around the cat face. I also had a stamp with stars on it. Kind of dreamy is what I was thinking for this. You know you dream while taking a nap. The yarn is because the cat has a knit hat on. lol.

The second pages are kitties napping. So cute. But I put too much glitter and its hard to see them clear. The saying is "Never sleep along when you can sleep on someones face" That is what my cat thinks anyways. lol. I had a punch that I punched out stars and butterflies from a advertisement I had laying here. I used the star stamp again. And I was trying to get that dreamy effect going on in this picture. I need to refrain from using so much glitter stuff.

Remember

2008-09-11T04:36:00.000-07:00

Raise your flag today. Take a moment to remember 911. Least we forget.

These clip art images were from http://www.theflagpole.com/banners_and_images3.htm. There is some beautiful art work to see here. This is just a small sampling of what you will find.

Another Schlep bag

2008-09-08T03:57:00.000-07:00

I made another bag. This one is for my dd who has been saying she needed a bigger bag for school. And she does not like to haul around a back pack. So I made her this.

The material she picked out. Its from Walmart. Thankfully my Walmart still has a fabric department!! Lately I have been buying from there for little projects. Its nice because I do not have to make a special trip to the fabric store. And that is way in the next town. The fabric is more expensive.

That is all I got done so far. I painted the next page in my book. And I have a few trims to try out on the first page. OR mabe some stamps. At any rate I need to add to it. A good way to get into some bits and piecs of stuff I have around here.

A bag and a book.

2008-09-03T14:24:00.001-07:00

I love it when something comes togeather and works well. I made this Schlep Bag. http://sentimentalstitches.net/free-stuff/schlep-bag/

It was not all that hard to put togeather. I will be making another one this week for my daughter.

I am working on a altered book. I have much work to do on it yet. But I have the general idea I think. I am useing a small calender with napping kitties in it. The first page I just tore the edges. And glued them back on like the pic above. I had some glitter paint that I put over the top. But it still needs something. I just dont know what yet??

The second page has. Life is Hard, Then you Nap. Its in the middle of the page. And I kind of like it like that. I put glitter on top of that.

I painted the back ground in a color called dusty Khaki. Its a Aleene's paint. Do they still make her paint?? I have not bought paint in a long time.

The base of the book is a childs board book. It was called All About Colors. I picked it up at the thrift store for .25cent. Cheep enough to practice on.

I have 5 pages to do yet. This is going to be a work in progress for awhile. Unless I have a stoke of inspriation.

Graphic art.

2008-08-29T04:52:00.001-07:00

I am going to school for graphic art. And seeing stuff like this just makes me happy. I want to learn how to do this kind of stuff!!

I also want to make neat print things like signs, advertisments, and who knows what else. So much to learn and do and make. Oh my.

But that is another post for another day.

Have a good one

Summer's end.

2008-08-26T15:58:00.001-07:00

Summer is almost at the end. School has started so it feels like summer is over. And with that fall will be soon ariving with all new adventers for us to do.

Last week we had our County fair here. Its a big deal to the local folks around here. 4h is a big deal and the kids and parents work hard all spring and summer to get ready for the big week.

There was the 4h dog show. My dd and her dog got 1st place in showman ship!!! Little mutt dog likes to think he is a pure bread dog.

There were some ribbons won also. Blogger has decided that it will not upload the rest of my pictures now. But I love this kitty. I want to make another one. I am about to hand over this one to my dd. Just because I love her.

Fair entries!!

2008-08-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

The fair is next week and I am busy getting stuff ready to enter. Here are just a few things I made this week. 2 aprons and a set of pot holders. I am slowly crossing stuff off my list.

This material came from Walmart!! Can you believe that. I thought it was really neat with all those veggie on there. This is a kitchen apron

This fabric also from Walmart. It has a neat retro feel to it. This is my fancy apron I am entering.

I also made 2 potholders. The white is from my stash I got from my mil's stuff. I am not sure how I feel about these yet. I still need practice doing potholders I think. I am not very good at doing the binding and sewing stright. lol.

Sunday thoughts

2008-07-20T06:02:00.000-07:00

I have no thoughts today. lol nothing poetic or thoughtful so it seems.

Today the family is going to the club for a show. Its a sad little show. Mabe I will do a bit of blacksmithing today while I am there. We are takeing the dog. He will enjoy the afternoon out. lol. We have been so busy the poor dog is having issues I think. lol. He is a people dog. Got to be around people or he is not happy. The cat for that matter is much the same way? I got them both so spoiled there is no living with them in a normal sense of the way. But what is normal when you decide to take in 2 furry critters? So the dog will get his weekly ride and mabe some icecream. I have work to do around the house. I am now getting into the mood of cleaning. Actally I would rather stay home and do that today then go to this show. But I will help out a bit then come home and hope I am still in the mood. lol.

I have a big list of stuff that I want to enter into the fair. I am kind of excited of accomplishing or hope to accomplish such a list. Some I have done. Some are easy project. Some might take a bit of time. I will enter photos for the first time this year. I dont expect to win at all or even place. But I still would like to try.

So that is that for now. Have a great weekend. I will leave you with some furry kid pics.

Thur ramblings

2008-07-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

Today I am trying to get motivated to accomplish something anything. Cleaning, sewing, couponing. But nothing and I mean nothing seems to pull me or inspire me to get moving and doing. Maybe its the heat, or more likely I don't know where to start? I did get one thing done. My bil gave me a bigger monitor and I got it installed on my computer. :) Its nice to see a big picture on this monitor. I did also manage to clean off my desk. Which I had to do in order to take the old monitor off and put the new one on. So one clean space in the whole house. lol.

What I need to do is my dishes, sweep up the pet fur that is like tumble weeds going though the house. I swear I just swept it up this week? Or was it yesterday? It was this week I know it. I have a list of stuff to make that I want to enter into the fair. I have a few things started and in a box ready to be labeled. Inspiration is in the gutter this afternoon. Nothing seems to work for me. I did manage to make my dd a pair of shorts. And they need hemmed yet. I used Simplicity 9204 as the pattern. It was rather easy to put together. I want to make another pair of either capri's or shorts for her when I can come across some material she would like.

I did meet with my lawyer today about my accident from Oct and he wanted updated on my health and stuff like that. Took all of 5 min's and probably something we could of done over the phone!!! Instead I drove all the way into the next town to meet with him. So I made the best of it and dd wanted to go to Michael's to buy a dragon. Which is kind of cute. She just turned 14 and at times she still thinks some toys are cool. At least plastic colorful dragons are. Then I needed to get a new phone so stopped at Dollar General to get a tracfone. Then we were hungry and had a Taco Bell. Came home and all energy and inspiration left me. Or maybe it was never there today?? hmmm.

So what is a girl to do?? For one get moving and do something other than sit in front of the TV. Which I really do not wish to sit and watch anything. Nothing on worth sitting and giving that box my undivided attention for an hour or so. Cant sit that long just surfing the channels when nothing worth watching will be on in an hour anyways.

I also have to take pics so I can list more stuff on ebay. That I will get around to doing. Because I cant have all this sitting here for one. And for the other I really like making money off of ebay. lol. I just wish some of the items I have listed would generate some interest soon. Oh how I hate to see wasted fees go out the window.

So see I have lots to do. Just no motivation at all. Since the desk is clean I might get the sweeper out and sweep this room. Then maybe once I got it in order I might move over and do those dishes.

Small swap done. And other summer happenings.

2008-07-15T05:30:00.000-07:00

Summer has been a busy place at my house this year. We went Camping in NJ a few weeks a go. It was with the Just Buggy Club 4H that my dd belongs too. We went to join in on bug hunting. Lets just say that the kids were successful in finding lots of bugs.

We did not like the dirty sand, heat and ticks!! The showers were only cleaned once a day. Yuck. We were so happy to get home. But not before visiting the NJ shore!! It was pretty but very cold. brrr.

Then it was back home to get ready for the next weekend. The Hertiage Festival at Twin Lakes PA!! It was a long 4 days. We had fun though. Even with the mud and muck that we had to set up in.

We had a weekend off and we stayed home. :) Then it was my dd's 14th birthday. My baby turning 14. I am feeling old. lol. She had a good day. We went to Texa's Road house with the family. And the food was all so yummy. And then a trip to Walmart to shop with dd's bday money. She has been wanting Guitar Hero on her ds every since it came out. So she finally got enough money to get it. We got her a new fishing rod also for her birthday. Then on Monday I took her to the mall for a bit of shopping. 2 hrs later we ended up buying breakfast, Aunt Annies (Had a bogo coupon) dd got a belt, new cuff braclet, fingless gloves, and eye liner. She got this with the rest of her bday money. Then I got a great deal on a pair of jeans at JC Pennys!! The jeans were 13.58 I had a 10.00 gift card from a survey I did last money. So I paid 3. 58 for a new pair of jeans!!! Steve and Berrys we got a pair of capries for 8.98. That was full price but not a bad price I thought.

I did finish up a swap. Its Watermellon Day Aug 1st. So my group is doing a watermellon swap. :) I made coasters and a matching pouch for them.

I will be working on Fair entries this week. I have a list and some of the stuff is done already. Most of the projects I picked out are pretty easy and fun to do. My dd has her own things she is going to make. Along with her 4h projects. We both will be busy for a few weeks yet. But its fun, and fun when we win ribbons. Any color ribbon. lol. The blue ones are the best. But the anticipation of what the judges think of our work is fun too.

Off to craft an apron. Or at the very least pick out the fabric for it. Then do a bit of house cleaning. And before I know it the day will be done. Have a happy one.

Tiny tiny little catapillards

2008-06-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

I never belong to 4h. But my dd does and loves it. I am enjoying some it also. She belongs to the Just Buggy club and collects bugs all summer long. Sometimes into the fall. Last year we raised a monarch butterfly. Very cool. This year she was hopeing to raise some kind of big moth. 4h leader to the rescue with a bunch of tiny moth eggs. See up on the leaf the tiny black speck that is kind of long? That is a baby catapillar. A Cecropia moth. They are very beautiful. We now have a bunch of these tiny beings in a great big jar. Some will be sent out into the world when they are big bigger. We will keep one or two to raise. See tiny little specs on the leaves. They are living. So very neat. In a few days they will be much bigger. Go here to see what the moth will look like.

We also have one small Monarc catapillard. I will take a pic of him when he is bigger. He was too small and green to get a good picture.

We did also find 2 diffrent grasshoppers today, picked some wild lillies, found a skelleton of a dead dog, and a dead turtle on the side of the road. Yuck. dd wanted to bring home the head scull of the dog. Yuck. ewww. No. It stayed where we found it. ewww. Nature is sometimes yucky. Sometimes beautiful, always intresting.

Cooling off today.

2008-06-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

After a few days of record highs here today it started to cool off finally!!! I can breath again, my brain feels like it will work once again also.

I am a winner this week. Over at Red Hen Studios She has a contest on who can identify the butterflys. My dd who is into collecting bugs knew what they were called. :) So I get a pretty picture. Cant wait to see it. Thanks!!

On the crafting side of things I am getting things done. I did another potholder. Sadly Its packaged up and ready for the mail. I forgot to take a pic of it today. :(

Hopefully my swap partner will take one I can share with you. I am working on a wall hanging that I have to have done this week and in the mail also. Cant wait to see it all done. Its the first wall hanging I ever done. I want to make a few more I think. And the knitting of the scarves is on going when I get a few moments here and there.

I do have a pic.

Hats that I did on one of those knifty knitters. This is what I did while I recovered from my car accident. Also it was easy enough to keep me from getting board from sitting around and being in pain. I am going to donate them as soon as I can find a good place to send them. I want to include a few scarves also. These were fun and easy to do.

I have been thinking of getting some goals in place for me. I started to do this at the end of 2006 and was hopeing that 2007 would end up being a good year for us. God did not have my plans and goal in his plan for us in 2007. So I was thinking that there was some things I did manage to do. I got 1 credit card paid off. And I started to have a payment plan for another credit card to get it paid off. The balence is going down finally. And I have one more I have to pay more on as well. So that was small things on the financial front. I also need to loose weight. I was doing well by Oct and lost and was keeping 10 pounds off. The accident screwed that up and I gained it all back and some more. :( But now that I am pretty much recovered I can get back into working out again. So slowly I am starting on a routine again. So hard to get back into that walking and streatching habit when you dont do it for months. So I get up and streatch in the mornings. This will also help my back and neck to heal as well. I will walk a few times a week to start. Working up to doing it everyday. I am not sure how far yet. I like to get at least a mile in when I go if I can.

So my goals are to get the budget back into working order again. Do the coupon thing to save on grocerys. And hey its fun to get things free or cheep anyways. Pay off that debt. As I write this though I will incure another debt. Student loan!! Ugg. But I need to go to school and get my degree. So if I can pay off old debt like the cc's and my car loan then I should not have a problem paying on student loans when the time comes. It might be a few years. lol.

So that in a nut shell is about all I got. Not counting getting this house in working order as well. Again slow. One small thing at a time. Its comming along.

Green

2008-06-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

Toads, peepers, frogs? The neighbor boy found one and then two and had to bring them over to show us. Or rather show my dd. She loves critters, any kind of critter. A true country kid she is.

The kids took the critters across the street to the creek to set them free in a much safer cooler place to sit for awhile. Not sure where they will end up at.

I am not sure what we will find this week. The big bugs are flying now. So we will be up and on the hunt for those for the 4h project.

Summer days

2008-06-07T15:13:00.000-07:00

No pictures today. My first week of summer vacation is done and over with. And while I think I got tons done. I sure do have a mile long list to get to yet.

Started to declutter the dinning room. :) Will finish this task come Monday I hope.
Gave the kitchen a good scrub, and it needs it again. :( a never ending job that is.
Weeded the garden. :) It rained and grew new weeds. :(
Today weeded again. Not as tough as the first time. lol. And hubby went and got me a truck load of mulch. And my 2 flower beds up front finally looks like someone cares about them again. :) Haveing not 1 but 2 teen agers to help me today was wonderful!!!
Started on some new sewing projects, and knitting ones too.
1. potholder for a swap.
2. Wall hanging for a swap.
3. Scarf
4. And a scarf on the knifty knitter. :)

I think that will keep me busy for this week and then some.

I do have 2 more area's when I plant flowers at to mulch and clean up.
Get my veggie garden in. Got to finish rotilling it up today or tomarrow. Mabe when the sun starts to go down.
Plant veggie plants this week.
Get out my planter and clean off the front porch to so I can set it out and look pretty. :)

So there you have it. Another week of busy work ahead of me. And that might not even be all of the list.

Oh I did manage to sign up for the Pittsburgh Art Institute on line!!! I hope they let me be a student there. I am kind of getting excited about it. lol. Its a process to sign up for a new school. But hopefully this is the direction that God wants me to go. And I can stay home and do this and not have to travel to a school. Save me time and gas!!! I got to learn to draw. :( At my age. I always wanted to learn. Better late than never in life I guess. lol.

1 More day until Summer Vacation!! Or break.

2008-05-29T04:50:00.000-07:00

We are down to the last days. Tomorrow will be the last and I will have a nice 3 month break from work!!! And I can not be more thankful at this moment. Lets just say working with a bunch of woman can turn even a normal mild manner woman into a Witch. Enough of that!!!

Memorial day weekend was nice here. I got a new flag. I hang it proudly outside my front door. I have been with out a flag for a few years now. :( My old one got all sad looking and beat up. And I never got around to getting a new one. But I got it and I am glad. I think we all need to hang our flags out all the time to show our pride in our country. Lately I am Begin to think that Americans have forgotten what this country was founded on. And I am afraid that we are heading into a government who does not believe in this country. I am also afraid I am going to wake up one day to a country that I no longer recognize because the people in this country are so uneducated and the majority have not clue what they are voting us into. But I regress.

Summer is trying hard to make its way into my end of the country. So much for global warming Al Gore!! Ok again there I go. Sorry. More pictures for you to enjoy!!! Feet. I was able to take off my shoes and walk in bare feet!! YEA

I also got to stop at one garage sale. Found this little cute thing. Its a toad house. He will be a perfect addition to my garden. Hopefully a toad will move in and not bees. This is why the lady is selling this. Too many bees moved in. Do toads like bees?

I got started on my garden. Right now its not very pretty. We did get weeds pulled. And I need to move plants around I think. And need tons of mulch to keep the weeds from taking over. Shortly in a week or so we will have that mulch. But for now its just very unappealing looking.

I have a admit I have not worked on any sewing or knitting projects lately. I will be getting back to that this coming week. I have 2 projects that will need sewn and stuffed. And I have 2 or 3 swaps to start and finish. And another mini quilt or soft book idea I want to play around with. I have a stack of patterns I want to do this summer. I have piles of fabric to play with so maybe some new tops for me?? OR my dd. OR both.

Have a great day. And remember memorial day, labor day, July 4th are not the only days we should remember our country and be proud. We should do this every day. So go and hang your flag and go over all the freedoms we have in this country and why we are fighting to keep them. Please before you vote do research on all the candidates in this election. I cant and will not tell you who to vote for. I just ask that you make an inform decision and that you do vote this year. :) Its a wonder right we have. Don't you think??

Hang a flag today.

Counting down to the days of summer

2008-05-15T04:38:00.000-07:00

Its that time of year again where the kids, and some adults are counting down to the day when summer vacation will begin. I am one of those adults. Since I am a lunch lady I get the summer off. And I get to spend time with my dd all summer long. And its getting to be a better treat as she grows older actally. This is a time where we reconnect, get to know each other, the days are a bit slower and we spend more time togeather.

So how many days??? 11!!!! Or 10 1/2 if you are a kid in my school district. Or 5 if you are a senior. lol.

On to crafting. I am finishing up my shawl!!! I have decided to finish that before starting on a new project. That I have in my head, and already started to get it ready to start. But I put it aside so I can finish up the shawl. :) I also am working on cleaning up my crafting area. And working on a plan to have a sewing day or two. And other days prepareing things to sew. Still a work in progress. Much like planning out what my next sewing, crafting or art project will be.

I am loveing this sight. Yes I mentioned it before. I love the interviews and then discovering another great blog. Here is the one from yesterday Hens Teeth. What I loved about her is what she makes. Check out the envelopes people. OMG who thinks to embroider an envelope and make is so pretty. I can see one of these in a pretty frame hanging on the wall. Or a few of them as a display someplace. It makes me want to try it also. Although what I get for envelopes are not as pretty as what she has. lol. But just think what a few stamps, paint, and ink can do to an old bill envelope!!! And oh those huglys!! Hello so cute. They look like they can be anything you want. Like something a child will dream up in a drawing and call it a person. lol. These are just so charming. And the emblishments are great. My brain is full of inspriation from this sight. I love that !!

As this day is starting so shall I. There is work to be done, a shaw to be worked on, work to go to, come home list stuff on ebay, make dinner, and get out for a walk this evening!!. And probably 101 other things. lol.

Later

Monday ramblings

2008-05-12T03:46:00.000-07:00

Happy belated Mothers Day to everyone!!! My Mothers day was nice. We did not do too much this weekend. Tried out a new restraunt. Mmmm good it was. And cleaned house some. Took a trunk load of stuff to good will. Went though a community garage sale. Did not find too much there. And well just hung out at home.

I finished up my swaps for this month. I have them packaged and forgot to take pictures for you all. If the recepient does take pictures I will post them for you. Here is what I got for the potholder swap.

A nice red tea towel with a small apple on it. And a potholder made out of a tea towel. And a tissue holder for my purse, but I put it on top of my computer. A tea bag holder. Seems these are all the rage now? A very nice swap.

Here are some fun things to see. We visited a animal park on the 2nd. I just got the pics uploaded. lol. Here are some of what we saw!!

Finishing, and started.

2008-05-08T17:13:00.000-07:00

This week seems to be a week to finish up stuff. I completed my classes for this semester this week. :) So happy about that. Its fun and exciting to start these classes. Its all new and interesting. But after a few weeks of dead lines, tests and all that reading the end looks pretty darn good. As far as I know now I think I got a "B" in each class. :) So I am happy with that. Heck I did not make "B's" in high school. So for me this is quite good. lol. Not that I am not capable of an A. I know I am. But I let life get in the way and lost just a few points here and there. But I learned and that is what I most important.

I finished up some WIP's. I don't have pics yet. But I will later this weekend. I had 2 swaps to finish, and start on a few little gifts for Christmas. OR when ever I might need one. So progress on the gift giving box. lol.

I also finished up 2 books. 1. Dog the bounty hunter. Not a bad read. And I like Dog and the show and the crew and family so for me it was interesting to read about what makes Dog the Dog. :)

And tonight I finished up. Breached in The Watershed by Douglas Niles. This book was something I would not read normally. I like strange romance, novels, true crime. But this fantasy stuff I never read before. Since a friend gave my dd a big bag of these books and there they sit waiting to be read. I figure it would at the very least make a good bathroom book. lol. And I actually got into the story and it was rather good. We have a few more books by Douglas Niles I think I might just read those as well.

I started up my eBay again. With a hope and a prayer I can sell enough to get us though the summer in gas. Maybe make a little extra for a new computer, or something for the house, or hey how about heating oil!!! Eeeeeekkkk. Lets not go there right now. But if you like old jewelry check out my auctions. That is what I am listing at the moment. But I will have lots of different things to list as I not only clean out my house but my mil's house as well.

So that is what is going on here for now. Nothing too exciting. I need to find another book to read. As if I don't have enough to read during the times I am taking classes I added on 2 books on top of it all. lol. I tend to read more than one book at a time. One in the bedroom for evening reading, usually a good novel. One in the bathroom. Something mabe a little less interesting. If it gets to be really good the bathroom book becomes the bedroom book. lol. By reading 2 at one time I can usually get though 2 books a month. Not bad for a busy mom.

Have a great evening.

WIP done!!

2008-04-30T16:28:00.001-07:00

I got this shoe wall hanging done. A cute design from here. Its growing on me actally. lol. I think I might do another one but in other colors. I like the saying on this. But then again I hate to do something more than once. lol. Right now I am working on the potholders I showed you earlier this week. OMG so cute. That is what I think anyways. lol. I have 2 more to do the blanket stitch on then I will sew all 3 up at once. Or in one day. Mabe 2 if its a busy weekend. lol. Then I got to orginize my crafting space. Which is also our dinning room table, and it is also the room my computer is in, and the tread mill is in here as well. And it has gotten pretty cramped this past year. Just cant be too productive in a cluttered room. I have a ton of fabric to go though yet also. It was my mil's stash. And I hated to just give it all away. I kept a good bit in hopes of makeing me a few things to wear. I have the patterns just need space and time. Both are limited at the moment. lol.

My school is done next week. I turned in my work for the one class. But we have 2 more days yet to attend. Probably just sit there. I might just show up for the points. lol. And the online web design class will be over as soon as I get my project done and take the last test!!! So if I am really good I can have it done by this weekend. And drive my family nuts during the whole dead line process. lol. This involves having a big pot of tea made and ready to go, some snacks to eat, mabe a candy bar hanging around or at the very least a plan to drive to get ice cream when I turn everything in. lol. Motivation is what it takes to get this stuff done. I am enjoying the learning process. I am glad I can go in and do my own stuff and make it work. I have so much more to learn yet. :)

Off for a bath and to bed early I think. One more day of work this week!!! We have Friday off. :) So the long weekend will be nice. Then we have 2 more full weeks left and one more short week and we are done on the 28th I think. :) Cant wait summer vacation!!!

WIP's!!

2008-04-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

I have a few works in progress. lol. This one I am almost finished with it. Its from http://flickrembroidery.blogspot.com/ Such a cute idea for a design. I cant wait to explore and do some on my own. This will be great fun to combind with my graffic arts stuff as well. Cant wait to do up some of my very own designs!!

I also got this cute Love Bird from http://www.quiltmaker.com/. I looked into my stash and came up with these 3 fabrics. I am not 100% sure if I like them. They are growing on me. lol. I think mabe they will be potholders for a swap. I am still thinking on it. I will use the love bird pattern but mabe diffrent colors. See how they turn out once I do some embrodiery on them and put them togeather with a small shash.

Off to finish up cleaning the kitchen. Then clean off my table where I craft. As you can probably see from the background its quite a mess as well. I think I might have to plan out how I do my crafting. One day to cut out stuff and put it in little kits. And then work on embroidery until that is done. Then sew later in the week. I might find I get more done that way as well. I also want to toss in some knitting projects in there as well. lol. I know I am nuts. Its just Christmas will sneak up faster than I know it. And I want to have handmade stuff all ready to give out this year. That does not include running the kid to her 4h meetings, working on school work, tractor club work, house work, oh remodeling if all goes well. Hmmm spare time??? What is that. lol. At least it keep a person from getting too boared. lol.

I am off to do the house hold duties. Then back to more crafting. :)

Busy fun weekend.

2008-04-27T14:25:00.001-07:00

This weekend was our first event of the year for the Antique tractor club and blacksmith shop!!!

Yesterday we had 2 visiting blacksmiths from PABA http://http//www.paaba.net/. Gene King and Cary Brant and Chuck Hughes were there doing up some great demos for us.

The tractor displays were great. The Cub Cadet club was thrilled to be with us this year. http://http//www.onlycubcadets.com/. From what I heard they had a great time. We do look forward to having them back next year.

The Civil War Encampment was up and going this year. We had the pleasure of both Carpenter's Battery http://http//carpentersbattery.org/pictures_2007.htm. And we also had the 5th Regiment Virginia Volunteers Company H with us also!!! I could not find their web page. :( Need to ask them when we see them again. :)

We had the horses out to plow the fields. This is a beautiful sight. Who would think people would have fun plowing fileds the old fashion way??

The shingle mill was up and running. The antique engines where there also. Lots and lots of tractors!!!

Some crafters.

Our raffel tractor.

People makeing rope!!!

And much more. It was a full weekend. Now I have lots of pictures to finish up my final project for my web design class. So if all goes well our club will have a websight up and running shortly. It will only be a few pages to start off with. But its better than nothing at this point. :)

Warmer temps, a bit of sewing and gardening!!

2008-04-17T04:41:00.001-07:00

I have been a busy little bee the last few days. A bit of sewing, and the temps were warm enough so I can get out in the garden and start cleaning it up!! YEA!! The poor garden is looking so sad from neglet last year.

First.

I had this great pink and black poka dot fabric left over from a flimago swap last month. It was sitting there waiting to be made into something. Since I am learning to make potholders I though it would make neat potholders. So that is what happen. Its a simple design. Just a square in the middle and a contrasting border, the back is one whole pice. I just did a top stitch along the outside and in the middle to hold it all togeather when washed.

Then is still had some of this fabric left!! 1/2 yard of fabric can go a long way when doing small projects. lol. So I made a car littler bag. From this lady Allayson Hill. http://http//allysonhill.typepad.com/allyson_hill/

Except I made a few changes to mine. I did not have heavy canvas. And opps I sewed it wrong. But it still came out darn cute.

Dont mind the messy table in the background. :(

If you look closely you will see my dd in the bush.

She was playing in this bush yesterday. I got her to stand still to take a few pics. This bush is pretty but its going to be cut down this year. Its way too big for in front of my house. And when you can put a 13year old in it I think its time to go. lol.

And my daffidils are just about done for the year.

Fear not we have flower comming up. Soon they will be blooming!!! Cant wait.

So that is it for today. I have to finish checking out some hand embroidery pattern. Butterflys. And then its time for a quick walk then off to work.

Tax Day!!!

2008-04-15T04:46:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say I got all my tax's done and in the mail weeks ago. So today I will not have to worry about that. :)

I got my swap all done. Here it is!!

I finally figured out how I wanted to do this potholder. I did some hand emboridery on the back. Flowers and butteryflys. And I had my dd make a braclet. Which I had to kind of make over because it would not fit an adult. lol. So I added a few more beads. I think it came out cute.

I love the hand emboridery so much on the back of this I started another.

I am almost finished with the emboridery part. Just have the butterflys to do and then make up the potholder. I am going to use the pink and green butterfly material I bought at Wally World last weekend. :) I am not sure what I am going to do with it. Keep it, sell it?? Or give it as a gift.
I am thinking of starting up a Esty shop here this summer. I am still looking into what is selling and what is not. I also have lots of ebay stuff to get back too. I just needed a break. I have to dog sit next week. So I am looking at the end of April to start up the ebay stuff again.

I need to get ready for work. And do up the dishes, do a load of laundry. Then it will be almost time to leave. I probably will have a little time to do a few stitches on something. lol.

I am trying to get back to reading my Bible too. Seems that my faith has also been on hold for a few months. I am not a big Bible reader per say. But I do find it inspriational, and when needed I do tend to find answers to my questions. Well so here is John 1:3-5.

"Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the ligh of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. "

I think my art had been bad because I left God out of it. So time to let him back in and working again.

A little of this and a little of that.

2008-04-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

I am Dog, loveable mutt of this house. You have to love me.

Things around here are finally starting to go back to normal. Or as normal as we get here. lol.

Spring has arrived. But probably without a few more cold days. But the sun is out and that makes us feel warmer anyways.

I got this great potholder swap from Barb at Sew good friends. She does beautiful work. I about fell over when I opened this. This group of woman really have a great tallent. Its great fun swaping with them. Although my stuff is a little bit more primitive then theirs. lol. So far I got some nice comments. Back to the swap. There was a package of flower buttons, a package of seeds that she make the envelope and the lable is felt with machine embordier lable on it. Too cute to open. And 2 bright yellow butterflys. The potholder is machine emboridery also. I just love it. Too pretty to use. lol.

This apron is from the flimago swap I did. I like aprons. Although I dont wear them much. I should because they are pretty. Keep our clothing nice and clean.

Now a cat picture. This is Busters place to eat and lay that is up high. No food servered or prepared on this. lol. Yuck. He does keep an eye on my cook books for now. Until I find a much better place for them. Actally I have a cubard that needs declutters, and cook books I dont look at much. Its time to purge them I think.

This is my 3rd attempt to makeing this potholder for the spring swap. I made 2 others and I am not happy with them. So hopefully the 3rd time is a charm. lol. I need to sew the block togeather. And add a border. I just layed out the pices for now.

I think this is going to be the outside border. Its cute. Spring looking. I was looking at this today and thought this would make a nice dress for a little girl. Or a skirt. But my little girl is 13 and pink in not her idea of cool. lol.

This is how far I am on the camoflaugh shawl. Its going slow. I work on it before going to work as I watch the Waltons. lol. Although 2 days last week I was more busy into cleaning stuff and did not get to it. This is my drstressing project.

And today I did this!! Its a kit from Dollar General for 8.00. Strawberries are soppose to grow in this. I am starting it inside in hopes by the time the last frost comes though here I will have plants in this. And I can hang it outside. But there did not seem to be many seeds in the packet? So I might have to go buy a plant or more seeds. lol. I will know by next week if they are there. If this one works out good. There was also a tomato kit I wanted to try. Or I was thinking again to try growing tomato plants upside down. Another day for that experiment.

Off to get dressed to the shoes. lol. And get this day stared. I have some sewing to do, got to meet up later for a freecycle pick up. Railroad spikes YEA!!! Its a blacksmith thing. And think about what to make for dinner?

Thank you for the prayers for Patty. She has 2 or 3 more treatments to go. And she will be done by April 15th!!! So all is going well. Keep her in your prayers still. There are still some emotional things she has to work though. And she has to heal yet as well. Plus lots of dr visits to make sure all is good and this cancer does not show up elseware.

Just a bit of John 1:1-2 to share with you. "In the begining was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the begining. "

My mom and a preacher has said at diffrent times in my life that if you want to lead a person to Christ and show them what is in the Bible to start with John. I think that is also true when life gets crazy and you need to find you way back to God sometimes. Getting back to the basics of a Christian life has to happen from time to time I think. In the begining.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Spring!!

2008-04-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

School is almost done. WE are down to 34 days? I think that is right. The noise in the cafteria was bad today. The kids all have spring feaver and are so wound up and full of giggles. Or chaseing after the boys, or boys chaseing after the girls. What is it about spring that does this??

I am working on another potholder. I am not really happy with the first one. The second is large. But I think it will be better. I need to figure out why the thread keeps breaking on my machine. Other than that I am getting that freehand quilting down pretty good. I just did circles around and around all around the outside of this pot holder. I think I will not quilt the inside as much. So to leave it poofy. Then the person can fold it in half or its big enough to get under a big cookie sheet. Or put on the table as a hot pad.

My sewing skills have gotten bad since I did not do it as much. I need to improve quite a bit. Even a cute little stuff animal I had trouble with. And that is something I made lots of before. Time, life and work, school all got in the way of my sewing and crafting. Slowly I am working my way back to it. Somewhere along the way I want to start to sell my stuff to make some extra money in the summer. Even if its just gas money it would be worth it. Since I dont like to stay home much, and would rather be going someplace. lol.

I am still working on my shawl. I think I might sell it if it turns out good. I am still decideing if this is something I would like to keep or not. I am thinking of pulling out the knifty knitter and start a afgan when I am done with the shawl. Mabe a baby blanket.

I need to find someplace to talk to other crafts people and see how they do for sales on line. And what sells best for folks. I am sure its seasonal. Same as ebay. Another thing I need to get moving on again. I just hit a road block as to what to sell. Seems like I was looseing money and not makeing much. More reasearch!!! lol.

Sunday rant

2008-04-06T10:35:00.000-07:00

Its a lovely spring day here. I love spring. Everything smells good, looks green and clean. Freash air is nice after being cooped up all winter long. Its hard to stay in and stay home on days such as these.

I am looking at a pile of paper work I have to buckle down and do. It probably will take 1/2 at the most to get it done. So I think I might treat myself to something when I get it done. lol.

I have a Illustrator project I have to do also. I am getting my dd to draw me one of her charters and I am going to do it over in Illustrator as my final project. I have the idea in my head. I just hope it all works out the way I hope it does. lol.

So if I am ever going to get back to crafting and knitting and sewing I need to get this other stuff done. And off my table. Paper work takes up a bit of room sometimes. lol.

Went to church today. And the pastor was talking about walking out from one thing in life. Say anger, or being nasty, gossip, swearing, ect... and going over into something better like fogiveness, mersey, and loveing more. And it does make sense. To live a better life we need to give up what is bad in our lives and move into something that is good for us. I am going to work on the swearing part of my life. It has influncened my dd and its not a good thing at all. We have talked about it and how can I correct her when my own words are not any better. A lesson for us both. Its bad when a 13 year old can point out such a flaw and this and be right about being a good example for her. So I am going to do that. What is something you can or should not be doing and what can you walk over to that is better??

Have a great Sunday

A bit of sewing and a old/new car

2008-04-05T15:04:00.001-07:00

Some new developements around here. I got a new/old car. New to me. Its a 2002 Dodge Stratus. But very nice. I needed a car and it tooks quite awhile to find what I wanted. Low miles for one. Around 50,000 or less. And not a huge payment. Kind of got that as well.

Here is it.

I also did a bit of sewing. I am useing a older machine. Loaded with parts. I found a quilting foot!! Oh joy. I am doing a spring potholder swap. So I tried out a bit of freehand quilting on it. Not too bad for a first time job. I think I can do better the next time.

I do like the material I picked out. All butterflys and flowers. I think I might pick up more and do something else with it. Its a neat design. Pretty for a spring day. :)

My friend Patty is doing better. Although a bit depressed and having a hard time accepting that she has cancer. We keep praying for her. It does seem to help. She has made better improvements than the dr's expected. :)

Off to do school work, or finishing up tax stuff, or sew something. lol. Sewing has to wait until class work and this paper work gets done at some point this weekend.

Daffadill days

2008-03-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

Today as I sent the bear for the cancer society out for a friends sister I was left with the lovely flowers. They would not make the trip alive. So I took some pics of them to send via email so they can at least see how beautiful they are.

My friends sister has cervical cancer. And is now going though treataments. She is over half done. But its still not easy on her. While she is getting better and the treatments are working. She is depressed, and down and needs prayers. So if you happen to read this. Rembember Patty in your thoughts and Prayers tonight.

Sunday rant

2008-03-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

No crafting yet today. But its still early. Instead I am doing homework. And getting a headake. I am going to school to learn web design. And mabe its just my age but sometimes directions to very simple things alude me in the worst ways. I can read, reread, and read again and still I just do not get it. And its just one small step in the process that hangs me up. And one small important step to make a web page work. I posted a question to the discussion board and now I hope to get an answer to my question or figure it out for myself soon.

What is on the project list??
1. Work on shawl.
2. Make spring potholder for swap.
3. Take pics of finished project, and swap I recieved.
4. Clean up crafting area in order to do more crafts??
5. Start on Christmas gifts. On this list so far is pillow cases, and totes. Both are easy and fast.

Small list I know. But with school, work, home life, and kid life time is limited right now. And just think its getting warmer and I can add yard work and gardening to that limited time!!! Oh YEA!! And add car shopping in there someplace too. :( I find a car and when I call about it or go see it the car is sold before I can see it. :( Having to shop for a car because you need a car is no fun. If I just wanted a car just because I wanted to get a new car might be more fun. I think. I am not sure because I never shoped for a car for the heck of it. lol.

Off to cut out a pot holder. :) Got to think of a good embroidery design for it too. I am thinking a nice flower would be cool.

Getting back to living life

2008-03-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

This seems to be a new goal weekly with me. Finding some part of my life that went missing for months now.

Now I am back to coupon shopping. And none too soon either. We find ourselves at a time again where we need to watch those pennies. Not that I mind. I love a good deal. And get a thrill out of seeing food and cleaning products takeing up extra room in the pantry and cubard. lol. Its not just the shopping. But rather that I know for a week or even two I will not have to worry about feeding my family, or having to wait to get laundry detergent, or hope we dont run out of shampoo by the end of the week. Better yet not having to run to the store to get one item and walk out with 10. lol.

I am still knitting and here is my latest project. A shawl I mentioned before. It comming along. I hope I like it when I am done. Its one of those projects you knit for no other reason other than to do it. lol.

I know it does not look the best on the pic. But its only begun. lol.

I also started an embrodiery project. Its an old dresser scarf. I think I might make it into something. But I am not sure what yet. Here is is so far. Again not the best looking but its just begun.

So with the changeing of the season. So does things in my life. Old things are comming back to me that I put away for a bit, or new things are starting to appear. Like flowers on a spring day. Freash and new. I have a ton of sewing and knitting projects I want to do this summer. Mostly for Christmas gifts for friends and family. I might try to sell a few things on ebay or start a etsy shop. Try to get his blog going must better. lol.

So until next time. Happy knitting and crafting!!!!

Nothing done this week.

2008-02-17T16:28:00.000-08:00

I was on a good sewing roll for a short time. Then school work got in the way. But one class is finished and I got a good routine for the last class I take on line this semester. And so far no homework for my class I take down at the college. I forget how much time it takes to go back to school. Not counting that I have a family to take care of, a pt job, and a house to clean, plus have a crafting hobby. lol. And there is that ebay thing too. Its all good though.

I do have plans for crafting for the rest of Feb. Knittting on a shawl out of camo colored yarn. Ok goofy mabe but its what I had enough of and I need to use it up. I am tired of looking at all the balls of this stuff. lol. Finish up the other fingerless glove. Only a little bit to go on that. Find a small knitting project to do. Mabe Erol from the Harry Potter Charms knitting book?

Sewing related projects are. Take in a skirt for my dd, alter a dress we got for my dd on sale. It was an xs and still too big in the breast area. My kid has no boobs. lol. But she likes this dress and its hard to get her to actally like a dress. So for the 7.00 I paid for it I think I can manage to alter it a bit so it will fit her better. I have a pattern to make some pj and shorts for my dd also. Furture b-day gifts I think. I would like to make some pj bottoms for myself as well. And that should get me well to the end of this month and into the next. I have a potholder to make also for a swap I joined!!! Cant forget about that. And it too much fun doing the swaps.

I will have to start to think about Christmas gifts. I know I want to make more pillow cases. But I need a few other ideas as well. Mabe pot holders if they are easy enough. The idea for the girls is to have a gift basket or bag all done up with pretty sewn goodies. I think for the guys my dh is working on some custome made tool box's in the wood shop. That and what ever we can design in the blacksmith shop this year. Our people on the Christmas gift list might end up with a rather nice assortment of goodies this comming year. The list has shrunk so doing this is going to be a bit more fun and enjoyable. lol. Or so I hope.

Sorry no pics today. I will have some as I complete my Feb list.
Have a great week!!!

Quite Sunday

2008-02-10T15:57:00.000-08:00

A quite Sunday in my house. We all have decided to stay in and out of the cold. And amuse ourselves with what ever it is that we need to get done or have fun with today.

I had school work to do, and a little sewing to catch up on. :) And try hard to not do anything that is going to hurt my neck and back after the chriopractor so nicely fixed it. Let the injury heal as he said. Easier said the done when the house needs a majior clean up.

Back to the fun stuff!!!!

I got my care package all done for my friends!! This pillow case one of 2 is all finished. The pillowcases, 3 costers made with cd's. (sorry no pic) and candy and a note is all in a small box, taped up and ready to go. I hope they like their little surprise. :) It was such fun doing up this care package. I hope by Easter I can do up another one for them.

Ok this blog is called Knitting this and that. So I need to show you that I have done some knitting!!! Yes. I finished up one hand warmer. :) Working on the second. They are so soft. I am going to enjoy wearing them I think. Or my dd is going to steel them from me and enjoy them for me. :(

I have tried crochet in the past. Failed so many times. But I as I was looking for ideas I came upon seveal that had crochet a cover for a old cd and make them into costers. And its easier to crochet roung stuff. Or so I thought than knitting. lol.

The attempt is ok. Not the greatest. I did not follow a pattern. Just kind of winged it. The yarn is a green camo I got at a garage sale a few years ago. A bunch of this yarn for only 2.00 I think.

I will leave you with some winter storm pictures I took a few days ago. The skys were so dark, and it was amazing how fast it blew up on us. Makes for some neat pics I think.

Sad day

2008-02-03T16:09:00.000-08:00

Today I found out my best friends sister has cancer. Its cervical cancer. They have decided that P will move in with B and her dh. They are such great woman these two. They are best of sisters that ever was. And now this sad event is happening to them.

As I was struggling though some school work. I took little breaks to work on a set of pillow cases. As I worked I thought of my friends and I looked at how bright these cases were. And made the decision to do up a Valentines surprise box for the 3 of them. And if I am really really good, I can keep up little surprise box's in the coming months. We live 12 hrs away from each other so a visiting is so very hard. So I will send little happy surprises to keep up their spirits as they go though the chemo and radiation. For Cancer never does just hurt the one person, it affects the family also. So say a prayer for my friends. No names are needed. God knows who they are.

Weekend of work, sewing and stuff.

2008-02-02T17:27:00.000-08:00

Winter Day Again.

Today was a day to try to get some work done. Or as much as I can do. Due to my back injury and now seeing a chiropractor I was told to take it easy while feeling better and not to over due it. Other wise I will not heal. uggg. Bad part is that I am feeling better, have more energy and its hard to sit and see all that should get done. While asking for help is not always useful for the response is always. "Ok I am coming" And then you realize 1/2- and hour later the said chore was not yet done. Uggg.

I did get some sewing done this evening!! No knitting sorry. Just not in a knitting mood I think. I will on Monday I will do some before going into work.

For now my pillow case I made. I made a pair actually. But here is the one the cat decided to pose with.

I also finished my other place mat. They turned out ok. Next ones I will have to pay closer attention to measurements when centering the middle panel. But the ones I made will come in handy for my coffee table. We tend to eat and drink off of all the time.

This is such a sad view from my front window. Poor bunny laying on his side in the snow with his flower wishing for someone to pick him up again. And he wishes spring was also here for he would not be in the state he is.

The birds do not seem to mind the cold and the snow as long as there is lots of feed for them. During cold weather I cant keep enough feed in that feeder. My dh made that for me one year because I got tired of always filling the bird feeder. This one I can put 2 or 3 small bags of the dollar store feed in there and the birds are happy for a long time.

Wet, cold and rainy!!

2008-02-01T11:53:00.001-08:00

Its one of those cold, damp, wet, frozen kind of days. We woke up in hopes that school will be canceled. But we only had a 2hr delay. At least we got to sleep in. lol.

I will be a good evening to do a little crafting I think. But first I have to go to the bank, get money to pay the oil bill!! OMG the price to heat our home this winter. Something has to come down soon. Gas, heating oil, or find a better way to heat our homes. We are planning on the last item. Coal/wood furnase to keep cold wet winters at bay.

I have a list of things I need to either finish, for start on. I also need to do up a Christmas list, and a list for entries for the fair. This year I want to start early and have most of my seasonal crafting done.

This is the yarn I bought for a pair of hand warmers. I think there might be enough for a hat too.

These are a Irish Chain cable knit? I love the pattern. I got the pattern from. wineandneedles.blogspot.com

This is one place mat of 2 that I am makeing. The directions are from the Bend the Rules Sewing book. I am really enjoying this book. The directions are easy and they are great inspiration for anyone artist with a good creative mind.

To brighten up my dark and wet, cold day I got a great swap in the mail today. The lady who I swaped with this month out did her self. Such lovely little treasures.

And dont you wish you were a dog?? I wish I was my dog anyways. Not a care in the world on a cold winters day.

Sewing with online friends

2008-01-27T10:39:00.001-08:00

I came across this group one day as I was looking for inspriation to get me going again on doing some sewing, knitting and crafts.

sewgoodfriends@yahoogroups.com. Is a great group of ladies who sew, talk and swap. And they have a great time doing it. Here is the valentines swap I made up. It was mailed last week. I hope she likes it.

The hearts are a crazy patchwork kind of design. I did a little bit of bead work on them and some embordiery also. They are stuffed and glued onto a wide ribbon. It can be hanged and used as a pin cushion if you want. OR just as decoration. There is also a towel I put some hearts on and did a blanket stitch around them. It was the first time I tried this on a towel. It was pretty. But next time I will have to center stuff much better. There is a pice of fabric from the stash of fabrics I got from my mil. And a little sticky note pad and candy. :)

For todays project along with some knitting and homework and house work. I made a pillow case. This was a really easy pillow case and it comes out great. My dd likes wolves so I made this one for her. Later if I have time I want to make another one and start a Christmas stash for 2008.

More pouches!!!

2008-01-24T16:33:00.000-08:00

I really like makeing these pouches. I am not quite sure what I will put in them. But I know in time I will find stuff to put in them. I also know that I will make more as gifts to friends and family this year. I think some nice soaps, small shapoo's, and body spray would be nice in one. Or some flavored tea, with some homemade cookies?? These would make great pouches for your undies and bra's when packing for a trip. Or for storeing away that special, not the granie panties. But the nice lacy stuff for special times, or mabe not so special time. You know what I mean. This would make a great storeing pouch for those. And make a little bit bigger one for shoes?? Put a loop on the back to hook onto a belt for your IPOD. Get the idea.

For today I in an artist slump. Yes artist not crafter. Even though in my eyes many times both are one in the same. Some crafters are true artist. But yet they are deemed as crafters while others consider themselves artist doing the same things. And artist make me feel like I have accomplished some small status in this life of mine. But I degress. Life is just too busy to get creative, sit and knit or sit and sew. How can that be. Just too much junk up in the old head to sit and enjoy a bit of creativity. I do plan on getting it back this weekend. I want to make pillow cases for my dd for her room. She is slowly wanting to change it into her style.

This is the top of a tree that has grown outside my front door. This was a very cold crisp day when I took this pic. But the sky was very blue. And entangled limbs of a tree are just kind of pretty I think.

This is a cute bird house my dd got at a garage sale one day. The people gave it to her and told her how they made these while on vacation at the beach. She thought they were cool. This past summer we had a little bird make its home in there. Actally it was 2 birds and they had a family by summers end. :) Now its up for rent. But I think we should clean it out before the birds come back. For now it looks lonely and empty in the cold winters sun.

I am dreaming of spring. At this time of year I can almost see spring comming. Sunny day with the sun so bright you would think it would be nice and warm out. But its still cold, and brittle in the depths of winter in and around us. Spring is waiting right outside the winters edge waiting for its time to spring upon us one bright, warm sunny day.

Until then spring. I will keep warm inside with crafts to keep me busy, work to fill the day, and dreams to fill my nights.

Projects and the moon.

2008-01-23T04:35:00.000-08:00

Its been cold here. And the other day the sky was so clear and the moon was very bright. For as cold as it was on Sunday. At least it was nice to see that almost full moon shinning bright.

Since its so cold out its a good time to stay in and sew. So I managed to finish a few things this month.

A tote bag for my school book, note book and other such items one needs to carry when takeing a class.

A pouch for my mp3 player. It matches my tote bag. :) I also stick my jump drive in there so I dont forget to take it to school with me. Or have it end up in the wash if I forget to take it out of my pants pocket. lol.

The tote and pouch was from the book. "Bend the rules Sewing". Its a good book with some cute easy ideas in it. I see myself makeing lots of items from that book.

I have done more but time it running short. It will be time to head out of the house soon, start up the old truck and head to work and feed the very hungry teens.

Updates

2008-01-21T12:02:00.000-08:00

Time for a small update. I have finally got my newer computer. I have moved up to an XP. Although right now I am not happy with it. Its telling me I cant download one of my trial software programs I need for school. And I have an assiment due!! Uggg. Spending hours trying to figure this stuff out is not my idea of fun.

I am doing some crafts!!! Ok I need to make small goals each month for myself as far as makeing projects. List them and then finsh them. I got to start now to think about Christmas gifts, b-day gifts and stuff like that. Although my gift list seems to be shrinking each year. Mabe good mabe bad. lol.

Ok here is this months list. Some I have completed. Some I have to start yet. :)

1. Tote for school. - Done

2. MP3 Player pouch- Done

3. New pair of fingerless gloves- Started and on the needles. 2 rows in.

4. Make 2 more pouches.

5. Look at ideas for aprons to make for the fair.

6. Signed up for Valentine swap at Sew good friends!! - Almost done and ready to mail. Just need fat quarter.

Ok I think that is enough. Considering Jan is almost done. I need to think about what to do in Feb. I am thinking of stuffed critters? I got a pattern at the thrift store to make some really cute Christmas critters. And I have a kitty pattern here I want to sew up. And get to those refashion projects I want to do.

Now to leave you with a picture. Wish I were a cat and could nap anywhere at any time I wanted.

Happy New Year!! 2008!!

2008-01-01T14:36:00.000-08:00

I can not get over it. Another year gone. 2007 gone!!! Made it though another one. So we start 2008. :)

I was thinking that last year I had all these plans for the year. Get out of credit card debt, get us financially confortable to the point that we might not have to worry so much about money. But lets not fool ourselves money is always a worry. Anyways that went out the window. And I could list a few other bad adventers that happen in 2007 but lets just let those things stay there and move on.

I will stick to some crafting goals. And school goals. That is much easier to accomplish, less stressful at that. Mabe not school. But its got to be goal that I need to accomplish.

More fun is crafting goals. And well since I got the knitting bug this is what I plan on doing.
1. Finish up a pair of socks. And make 2 more pair by the end of 08?
2. Finish up shawl.
3. Make 2 Harry Potter school scarves.
4. Learn new knitting techniques.
5. Most likely will make a few other items as gifts and just have fun.

Sewing goals....
1. Refashion 2 clothing items into skirts for my dd.
2. Refashion a few clothing items for me.
3. Make Christmas gifts for 08 Christmas. I am thinking pot hotholders, place mats, and mabe a tote or two.
4. Make a tote to handle school books.

Blacksmithing....
Learn a new technique. Master makeing a few small items to sell. This is a skill that takes years to master and then some. I will be happy if I can make a wonderful cross, or bend that metal to do what I want it to do. lol. That and if my back holds up to the hammering.

So that is about it. Not a long list. But I have a busy life. There are lots of projects I would love to do this year. I am not putting them on a list so that I do not get dissapointed in the fact I have not finished them when I wanted. lol. There is always next year.

Have a great, Blessed New Year. See you on the blogging trail.

Refashion a jumper to a skirt

2007-12-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

I have some time now and I been dieing to try a refashion on some thrift store clothing. I got a cordory jumper and made it into a skirt.

Not too bad for a first try at something like this. I cut off the top part at about the waist area. I cut strips off the unused part to make a waist band. I had to sew 2 pices togeather to make it long enough. Then once It was on the dummy it was too big!! So I took the skirt in with some darts. And sewed up the one side that had buttons. The other side I left enough of an opening so I can get into it and I will just move the button over a bit so I can button it close. NO hemming on this, and there are 2 pockets also. I am not sure I like the pockets. I figure with my black boots this skirt will look cute. I am also trying to decide if I want to make it shorter. Its below the knee. But these winters here are cold. So exposed skin is not fun in cold weather.

I put a bra on my dress dummy and stuffed it so when I get around to makeing tops they should fit better on me. Dont mind the dog he was trying to get out of the picture. lol.

The pattern on the skirt. A typical plaid. Nice for winter wear.

Vintage patterns!!! Got to love a whole big box of them!!

2007-11-23T16:53:00.000-08:00

Due to recent events I was able to aquire a rather large box of nothing but vintage pattern booklets!! OH my beating heart. First I am poor and any free material I can get my hands on is a happy moment. And second vintage things are popular right now. And some things just do not go out of style or fashion. So I am going to share my little treasures with you.

First up on the list is a Knitted Stole. 20 inches by 61 inches with out the fringe.
This is just a leaflet I came across. Looks to be from the 50's. And the pattern requires Dawn Bulky Yarn. :) I am not even sure if we could find this or not. But hey we are knitters we can make this work!! And the shaw is kind of pretty and looks kind of easy. So here we go!!!

Materials Required:
American Thread Company "Dawn" Bulky Yarn. OR a bulky yarn of your choice I soppose. 8 skeins of this.

1 pair of plastic knitting needles 10 1/2. Or your favorite. ( this might be a good time to search e-bay for 10 1/2 plastic knitting needles. )

Cast on 62 sts and work in pattern as follows:

1st row -- K 2 P2, repeat from * across row ending with K2.
2nd row-- K2, * Yo, K2, repeat from * across row.
3rd row-- Same as 1st row.
4th row--P2, * K2tog, yo P2, repeat from * across row.
These 4 rows are repeated for Pattern. Work even in Pattern until stole measures 61 inches, bind off.

Fringe: cut 8 inch strands of yarn. Using 1 stran , double in half, loop thought st, draw ends though loop tightly. Repeat in each st across each short end.

And that is it!!! Sounds easy enough for a first shawl. :)

I am off to search my stash. Or rather finish up a project before casting on for this one. lol. I might have to run to the store and buy yarn!!!

Summer has gone fall is here, winter is knocking at the door.

2007-11-07T14:58:00.000-08:00

So much has happen in the last few months. With the ending of summer, starting school we had quite a time around here. The ending of our blacksmith demo's was near. School started for both my dd and I. And I was back to work too.

Sept started out with a funeral. My mil passed away. She was sick but sadly we were not expecting her to go as fast as she did. Although she had going though 19 months of diabities going out of wack, her legs getting amputated, and congestive heart failer on top of it all. Her body after awhile was not able to fight off the infetion she had developed. So a fine start to the first week of school. But life does go on. We had a demo to do the 4th weekend in Sept. It went well and as a family we were very busy. The next weekend was the first in the last two demo's to go. And they were with our club we belong too. Nothing like blacksmiths, a bunch of farmers and antique tractors and a beautiful fall weekend to get the blood going. lol. The first day was hot. So hot the smiths shut down early. The second day was Sunday and I never made it to the festival. I was 5 mins away when I was rear ended and pushed 200 feet!!! I spent the morning and part of the afternoon in the emergency room and wondering what happen to me. And in lots and lots of pain. I was sent home with about 3 prescriptions for pain pills and instructions to see a dr in 2 days and to not do a thing. As if I could until I start to feel better. Feeling better would not happen for at least a week or two. I felt worse if that was possible. But here it is about 4 weeks from that and I am ohhhhhh about 70% better than I was. But I have pain in areas that never hurt before. And it comes and goes but never really does just leave at all. Yes we have a laywer on the case. And I got a month vacation from work due to dr's orders. I go back on Monday but only to see what I can and can not handle at my job. I work in a kichen and well there is no such thing as light duty in a kitchen. lol. But my boss and co workers are excited to get me back to my job. I am wondering what has happen since I have been gone. But then again its best I dont. lol.

So all during this kitting was not happening. And some poor projects I was so enjoying was sitting there waiting because my arm, shoulder, elbows and such hurt too much to knit. But.... All is not lost. One day I was out and JoAnn's was having a sale on knitting stuff. So I checked it out. There was a knifty knitter kit on sale!!! I wanted to try these out but really I hate paying full price for such things. But on sale and I needed a bit of a pick me up. So I got them. And they are fun and so easy to use!!! I have made several hats. Hats is about all I am doing now. lol. I need to find a place to donate them now. I made about 6 working on another one. But its not hard on me. I also picked up a knitting project!! My harry potter scarf. Its here by the computer. For when I want to sit back and read, have a heating pad on my back my legs up and I can knit and read and get a little done here and there during the day. Today is the first time I tried this out. And it works rather well. Its a simple knit stichch. So I do not need to follow a chart, just keep track of how many rows of each color I am doing. Which I mark after each row. I might have it done by Christmas as this rate. lol.

Sorry for no pic. My camera got lost in the reck. Just dissapear, gone, never to been seen again. Unless it shows up in the black smithing stuff. Which is totaly possibable since my dh cleaned out the van so it can be towed to a holding area, until we can get things strighten out so it will be towed again to be squished. Yes it was totaled. A big bummer. Not that is was my favorite vehical I ever owned but it was the nicest and well I really miss the mom car now. lol.

Window Shopping on Etsy.

2007-07-24T17:04:00.000-07:00

I am not feeling well today. But I did get lots done on my feather and Fan shawl. This after tearing it apart about a half dozen times this past week. Dont ask.lol. But now its comming along. I am eager to get it done and show you.

But until then here is a hat that is neat. I am not a witch. But if in a witchy mood this would be cute and come in handy. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6207089 I love the skull and rose fabric.

Also check out the other crafts on figtree. She has some neat skirts that if I was 20 years younger would love to have. Although I might just make one or two just for fun out of some cute found thrift store fabric if I happen to come across something.

That is it today. I love etsy. Mabe I can open a store one day. Got to make more stuff in order to have something to sell. lol. And do it well at that. :)

Finally pics!!!

2007-07-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

Its amazing how a little bit of fussing around with the computer can solve a ton of problems. lol. Like finding the correct place to plug things in. Really they need to lable the backs of these things a little better. lol. Ok as promised. Pics finally.

A knitted dishcloth out of Peaches and Cream cotton yarn. Very pretty colors this yarn was. I picked the yarn up at a church sale for .25cents. :)

I think this baby set it cute. I should just call it the retangle set. Because the hat and sweater was all retangles. I am going to enter it at the county fair this year.

I cant very well go on without showing you Buster. This cat loves to sit right there while I am on the computer. About 99% of the time. Got to love cat pics. :)

I also have to show you what we do all during the summer and into the fall 2-3 weekends a month. What you see is our traveling blacksmith show. That is hubby at the fire. That is our antique forge, and there is a few anvils, lots of hammers. We do not have much product to sell yet. But we promote our club and can go to craft fairs and not pay the fee's. We demo how to make stuff out of metal. Very cool. Very dirty and lots of fun.

A parting shot of those cute baby booties. I got my printer all fixed, filled with ink and pluged into the right port. So I am going on a search for really cute booties, and a fine excuse to buy very fine yarn. Since yarn is so expensive and I am basically on a one skein a month budget or else find yarns for cheep at yard sale. lol.

I could not resist. I started the fan shawl just about 1/2 hour ago. I see this project knitting up fast. Its already addicting. :) YEA!!!

Found new knitting project!!!

2007-07-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

As soon as I figure out how to use my camera on this computer I might have pics for you. But until then I have been knitting a few things.

I finished up my baby sweater, hat and booties. :) All in camo colored yarn. Very cute I think. And boyish. Too bad I dont have any baby boys in my future. lol. It will make a neat gift for someone in the future or I will dontate it.

I am working on a hat found in Altered Knits. Its the first hat. The first time I had thicker yarn, and ended up doing it on stright needles. The end result was pretty but the hat was too big for me. And not quite my style either. But I liked the lace design in it that I searched my stash of free yarn and found some sock yarn. It was something from Murphys store years ago. But this yarn I can do on my double pointed needles. And so far it has been much easier to knit than the first one. And the design is comming out really pretty also.

My next project to do is this http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/shawls-shrugs/feather-and-fan-comfort-shawl.htm A feather and fan comfort shawl. I have a big box of yarn someone gave me. And I really am itching to get rid of it. So this will be a great project to use some of that yarn up on. I hope I can really move fast on this one. lol. Being a beginning knitter yet. I have not yet figured out how to be able to actally watch tv and knitt and still be able to follow the show and see it and still knitt with out actally watching my hands all the time.

Oh I missed a really neat project that is on the web. I read Yarn Harlot all the time. She was lead to do a shawl. Mabe more like talked into and could not resist it. lol. She is working on a Mystery shawl and OMG its beautiful!!! Its too late to sign up now. :( I dont even have the address. Bummer. But I am going to find out for the next one and get ready to recieve those clues each week. lol. And mabe even invest in some better yarns. A real treat I am finding out. :)

If I am going to get any knitting done tonight, plus clean up the kitchen, do a load of laundry, and take a walk, and hunt bugs with my dd. (4h project) I better scoot and get it done.

Some blogs and sights to check out.

2007-07-04T09:40:00.001-07:00

Grab a cool drink. Sit back and enjoy some of my favorite blog sights. Some are knitting some are refashioning some are well just fun.

http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/

http://angrychicken.typepad.com/tieoneon/

http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/

http://www.belleepoquewhimsy.com/

http://sewingfantaticdiary.blogspot.com/

http://madebytess.typepad.com/

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/

http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/

http://blogs.diynetwork.com/diy/knit/

http://blogs.diynetwork.com/diy/knit/

Ok that is just a few. Have fun.

Creative inspriation in the hot heat.

2007-06-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

I have been working on things. I finished up my socks!! But no pics. :( Yet. They are comming I promise. I also made some baby booties. :) So cute in camo yarn. I know weird for a baby but no one ever thinks of baby boys. And boys like camo. Anyways I am knitting a baby sweater too. Out of the same yarn!!! A simple sweater made with rectangles. I am not quite sure I am ready for shapeing and makeing of arm holes and sleaves ect... But I wanted to make a sweater. Why?? I have no babies, not going to have any babies, but the thought accorded to me that most likely someone I know is going to have a baby and I mabe should have something to give them. :) And small baby stuff knitts up quickly too. I like quick stuff. Hate things that take longer than say a week to complete from start to finish. The socks I made took too long and I got board with them. And forced myself to finish the darn things. It must be the size 1 or 2 needles needed to make them. lol.

I have been sewing as well. I made a halter top. Simplicity 4193. Very easy to put togeather. Although probably not for a busty gal like me. But the warmer weather spoke to me and said make a halter. I will have to buy a confy strapless bra in order to wear it. But I have some tanks waiting to be made. Got the fabric for on in the washer as we speak. Also got a t-shirt dress bought at the thrift store ready to make into a tank. Mabe a tank and skirt?? Not sure about that one yet. And another skirt to make into a tank as well. So I have a list of top to make this week. Plus a skirt.

So many crafty projects so little time. And now so sticky to sew. Oh I also found a cute patter and instuctions on how to make patchwork potholders. Perfect project for those small scraps of material that is too nice to toss into the garbage. And will make some nice Christmas gifts as well. Or house warming gifts, or just because I am thinking of you gifts. :)

Happy knitting and crafting. I am off to finish that halter. And decide what I will sew up next. Got some pretty apron fabric waitng for me as well. The finished apron will be a fair entry when I get it done sometime this summer. And hopefully one or 2 will be work aprons.

A few projects I did this week and last week.

2007-06-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

I have been on a sewing kick. And since I have a pile of old clothing and fabrics that I sould do something with I have taken inspriation from Warbrobe Refashion and other sights to make some stuff. This is not all I made.

This skirt was bright pink. It has diffrent layers and some sequins on it. I Cut off the bottom sections and did not hem it. Ash said it was cool not to hem. lol. And then I dyed is a dark plum purple. Since that was the only color of rit dye I had in the drawer.

These are curtians I got at the GoodWill. They were long and to the floor. But with the raditor there long curtians get dusty and dirty. So I cut them off. Although a bit too short. :( But they are still kind of cute I think. Dont mind the dress form and sewing machine. lol.

This is a close up of the curtian fabric. I thought it was neat. Kind of 70's looking.

Ok not the usall crafty stuff here. That is our traveling blacksmith shop. My dh is the one in the apron. :) I do a little blacksmithing when we are out.

So that is it for now. Hope you enjoy. I have more pics to take and share. I am almost finished with a few knitting projects too!!

Crafting update

2007-06-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

Summer has offically begun for us. What a wild past few weeks we had. A Vacation to see a NASCAR race in NC. And then finishing up school, and then doing our first blacksmithing demo of the season. :) I am in the process of doing some much needed cleaning, and looking for inspriation for fabric and knitting crafts that I want to do this summer. Also includeing projects to make for the fair. Who does not like to try to win a few ribbons in their life?? lol.

Where to find inspriation. The internet for one. Oh my the crafters out there who love to share their crafting skills. Thank goodness for them too. Crafting books are good also. I have a few that I look though from time to time for ideas and techinques. Any craft fair we will be at. Nothing like looking at the real thing to see how a person created it. Mabe steel a few ummm ideas as well. I make them my own in the end. I figure I can make most of whats out there. And I am not rich enough just to buy what ever I want. And if I really desire that item I will 1. make it myself or 2. break down and buy it. lol.

On the knitting list is: 1. guitar strap. Done in black and a red color, and will have a fancy black fun yarn going around the edges. 2. A sock in knitting progress. It got put on hold when so many things came up so fast. I even tried to take it with me. And I did. But the poor thing did not make it out of the bag. :( And a knitt and crocet baby blanket. That I dont really like but really hate to tear it apart. Its more of a rectangle than a square. But with the ruffle crocet border its has turned out to be kind of pretty. I will donate this blanket along with the first one I did. And then probably go look at the wonderful free stash of yarn and come up with the color combination to make a 3rd one to dontate or gift to someone. Which ever comes up first. lol. I have also decided to donate the scarves I made. All except the blue and black one. But more scarves are in my knitting future I am sure. lol. They are quick and fun to make. Mabe 2007 Christmas gifts.

More pics will be comming. As soon as I can get my camera to work again. The batteries ran out and it does not like the cheep Dollar General batteries.

2007-05-17T05:55:00.000-07:00

This scarf is really long and skinny. Just a fun boa yarn I think in a prety green teal color. I think I had 7 or 10 stitches casted on and just used the simple knit stitch. Added a bit of fringe to the ends.

The modle is the back of my lovely daughter. :)

Scarf I made out of fun yarns, one was a black and white, one was a pretty plue eye lash, and then a blue yarn. All just from stuff I picked up in hopes of makeing something with it. lol.

First baby blanket I made. Used diffrent stitches in squares. And crocet them togeather, and added a crochet edging around it.

That is it for now. Got to get ready for work and feed the mass of teenagers today. :) Yes I work in the highschool cafe. :)

Got to lover crafty people

2007-05-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

I love crafty people. You know the ones who are willing to try and master just about anything crafty or artisy. lol.

I am frugal, thrifty, love a bargin and a great find. Summer time is here and garage sales, yard sales and all those lovely times where you spy a bunch of junk on a strangers yard makes a heart go pitter patter with excitment at finding a treasure. lol. I am in hopes that I find enough knitting stuff to get me though the winter this year. lol. At cheep super cheep prices. So far I found at 2 diffrent places "Peaches and Cream" Cotton yarn for .25cent each. Actally I think the one lady to me to just take it. lol. Cool I will be makeing wash cloths with it. :) Furture Christmas gifts. hehe. For .25cent and some time. How cool is that. I degress. Ok where was I going with this??

If you sew, craft, knit, blog, love crafty and artisy people check out this sight http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/ Wardrobe Refashion. And check out all the great blogs the people who have taken the refashion pledge. Refashioning used clothing is totaly cool. Especally for teens, mom's who are 39 or is it 40?? lol. And puddgy mom's like me who are in dire need of a new look. Lets face it. Once you get over size 12 or 14 there is not much good looking stuff for us ladies. Unless you like looking like an old woman?? Or wearing a tent dress? And most woman I notice who are beyone size 14 still have some nice curves. What a crafty woman to do?? Thus loving this sight and all the blog spots to read. Not only are there refashion inspriations, but lots of knitting too!!! Those who knitt also have crafted. Somewhere along the way the two must meet. Got to love that.

Sock yarn. Knitting first sock

2007-05-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

I have cast on my first sock. It took me 3 chances. I was knitting along just fine when I reread the directions and realized I made a big blunder. Uggggg. So I took it apart. But that is ok. Practice makes almost perfect. After that I had the hardest time casting on. But I am on and got 3 rows going. :)

The yarn is regia. A lovely blue color way. Pics of this will be up soon. What is so cool about this type of yarn is that it makes its own design. And omg so fun to knit. And like reading a good book its hard to put down. I just want to keep knitting to watch the design appear. I only got one skein. I should of got 2. But this will be a great excuse to visit the yarn store again next weekend. hehe.

The yarn store I mentioned is Kathy's Kreations in Ligonier PA. www.kathys-kreations.com. A lovely lady Kathy is. And not too pushy when you just want to walk around her store and touch, and see and gauck at all the yarn, books and neat creations laying around the whole store. And she hands out a newsletter. How cool is that!!! With a pattern or 2, schedule of classes. Some are can you believe this are free. I am in love. I just wish there was more time in the week to enjoy all the goodies she has to offer. Mabe someday. lol.

All good things like bloging and knitting must come to an end sometime during the morning. Work is necessary in my day. But at least I have Regia waiting for me when I get home again. :)

First post on new blog.

2007-05-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

Ok here we go again. My search of a good place to have a knitting blog. I came across several knitting blogs that use blogger so I figure I can give it a go.

Be back with more. Now time to go and play and see what I can do with this new space!! Also delete old blog. :( Kind of sad to do that concidering all the time we put into these things.