During the hustle and bustle of the season (which has arrived WAY too quickly), I hope you all take a moment to treasure your blessings. We all tend to get bogged down with stress, wants, and wishes. Take time to enjoy what you do have.
This year, despite a lot of stressful caca, we have so much to be thankful for.
The Hub is with us instead of halfway around the world.
Breeze is loving life and doing great in school and is friends with some good kids.
Kat is healthy and safe and doing great in school.
We have a beautiful home that we've created as a family.
We have each other.
We have so many wonderful friends.
This is just a small list of what I've been blessed with. I hope you all remember yours, too.
Lots going on on the other side
I haven't posted much here lately b/c we've been remodeling again. I'm so proud of the work we've done. Check it all out over at !
DD#1's bedroom is at the top, but if you scroll past the totalled Durango post, you can see our new kitchen/dining room.
Hopefully things can get back to normal soon, and I'll be able to actually *craft* and will have things to post here.
DD#1's bedroom is at the top, but if you scroll past the totalled Durango post, you can see our new kitchen/dining room.
Hopefully things can get back to normal soon, and I'll be able to actually *craft* and will have things to post here.
Something new out of something old
Most of my time the past couple of weeks has been spent on another remodel, so there hasn't been a lot of crafting going on here. I did take my old spice cabinet out of my kitchen and recon it, though. I picked it up at the Habitat Restore last year, and it was just a basic white cabinet with adjustable shelves. It was great for holding all those little spice jars, but I needed it for a better purpose...a new home for my GWTW figurines and musicboxes.
The Hub and I took turns working on it. We took the door off, sanded, stripped it, and sanded again trying to get down to the wood. To our surprise when we got there, it had a solid oak facing that was absolutely beautiful. Because the shelves and box part of it weren't solid wood, we had to come up with something to accent the oak. The Hub made a wider, curved bottom shelf for my biggest Scarlett to sit on.
I repainted the dining room and kitchen in this last remodel, and while I was in Big Lots one day, I saw this beautiful fabric for $5. I picked it up, thinking I'd make a tablecloth or a runner for my buffet with it. Change of plans, and with a pair of scissors, spray adhesive, a putty knife, and a brayer, it became the lining for my Gone With The Wind shadowbox. Each shelf is lined separately. Whaddya think? I don't have a before pic of the cabinet, but just picture solid white and nothing special.
The Hub and I took turns working on it. We took the door off, sanded, stripped it, and sanded again trying to get down to the wood. To our surprise when we got there, it had a solid oak facing that was absolutely beautiful. Because the shelves and box part of it weren't solid wood, we had to come up with something to accent the oak. The Hub made a wider, curved bottom shelf for my biggest Scarlett to sit on.
I repainted the dining room and kitchen in this last remodel, and while I was in Big Lots one day, I saw this beautiful fabric for $5. I picked it up, thinking I'd make a tablecloth or a runner for my buffet with it. Change of plans, and with a pair of scissors, spray adhesive, a putty knife, and a brayer, it became the lining for my Gone With The Wind shadowbox. Each shelf is lined separately. Whaddya think? I don't have a before pic of the cabinet, but just picture solid white and nothing special.
Yeah, I know my ceiling stills needs the trim put up. Here's a closeup of the bottom shelf.
And I did finally get a lining put in that garter purse. I made some little accents for the outside, as well. Thanks for teaching me how, Tess!
Pointy sticks and dull hooks
That's been the tools of frequency lately. Yep, knitting and crochet projects this time.
This one's still an agonizing work in progress. I have a TON left to do, and I'm not enjoying it. If I weren't making it for my mom, it would've already gone back to the "frog pond".
This one's still an agonizing work in progress. I have a TON left to do, and I'm not enjoying it. If I weren't making it for my mom, it would've already gone back to the "frog pond".
Yeah, that left side is all jacked up, but I'm not frogging it and restarting.
Here's an up-close of the stitch pattern. It's so tedious! I know it'll be gorgeous when I'm done, but who knows when that'll be.
To take a break from that, I whipped up a mindless garter stitch project with a couple of different yarns knitted together. I still need to sew a lining to put in it, put a closure on it, and dress it up a bit. I LOVE how soft it is!
My knitting and crochet teaching days are coming to a close, I think. I'm thinking of taking some time off from teaching all together starting in August, but even when I go back to it, I don't think I'll add these to the schedule again.
Wire wrapping
Remember up until a few months ago, I was one of those, "I don't make jewelry. I don't like it" people? Well, I'll have my crow served warm, please.
I took a class from Michelle, my sister at heart, last Thursday. After a couple of broken wires and a broken pendant, I finally succeeded. The pic doesn't do this piece justice, and I'm so proud of it! I'm so glad I took the class, even though she did squawk at me for *paying* for her to teach me something. Now I know more of what the hell I'm doing when it comes to working with wire.
Thank you, Michelle! Love ya, Hon!
The pendant is a black and white stone, and I used jet, smoke, and crystal Swarovski crystals, silver beads, black glass cubes, and pearls. The necklace is strands of black leather.
Here's a couple of close-ups of the pendant.
I took a class from Michelle, my sister at heart, last Thursday. After a couple of broken wires and a broken pendant, I finally succeeded. The pic doesn't do this piece justice, and I'm so proud of it! I'm so glad I took the class, even though she did squawk at me for *paying* for her to teach me something. Now I know more of what the hell I'm doing when it comes to working with wire.
Thank you, Michelle! Love ya, Hon!
The pendant is a black and white stone, and I used jet, smoke, and crystal Swarovski crystals, silver beads, black glass cubes, and pearls. The necklace is strands of black leather. Here's a couple of close-ups of the pendant.
Pergamano, anyone?
A new lady moved to town and added some classes to the schedule at the store. I looked at the samples and HAD to know how she did it. I did some research online and discovered that here in the States, it's a rare hobby. I signed up for the classes and just completed the 2nd one tonight. I LOVE the end result!
After the first class, a friend and I went online to order starter kits, and found that THE ONLY PLACE in the COUNTRY to order was http://www.ecstasycrafts.com/. So their website is great, and their shipping was quick. We ordered on Tuesday afternoon, and our order was delivered on Saturday.
So anyway, check out what I made!
After the first class, a friend and I went online to order starter kits, and found that THE ONLY PLACE in the COUNTRY to order was http://www.ecstasycrafts.com/. So their website is great, and their shipping was quick. We ordered on Tuesday afternoon, and our order was delivered on Saturday.
So anyway, check out what I made!
This was from the first class I attended.
And I made this bookmark at tonight's class. Ignore the funky blue background. My scanner's stuck on stupey right now, so I had to have a dark color behind the images, and that was the closest thing in reach.
If you're groovin', you can check out http://www.pergamano.com/ and their gallery. There are some gorgeous things posted over there!
Baby crafting
My new nephew decided to arrive on Easter, so I've been feverishly trying to finish up some things I'm making for him. Mom's heading over there in a couple of weeks, so hopefully I'll have everything ready to send with her.
I knew that I *had* to make these booties as soon as I saw the pic on the pattern. They were really easy, and I just love them! I'm sure my brother will ask why I didn't make him a pair of hunting boots or football cleats, but there'll be time for that later. I used this pattern, and they went a lot faster than I anticipated. http://xalleykatx.livejournal.com/50196.html?mode=reply
I'm also crocheting a blanket, but with it all being single crochet, it's taking quite a while. I'm basing it off of the Tiramisu Blanket here (http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/TiramisuBlanket.pdf), but I didn't have enough of one type of yarn, so Logan's will be a bit different. Here's my progress so far.
I want to get him a little devil hat made, too, but I don't know if I'll have time. I may just have to mail it later. Isn't the pattern adorable, though?! As my brother's son, he NEEDS this hat. I already have the yarn, so I plan to cast on in the next couple of days.
Aside from the baby stitching, I've been recovering from surgery and dabbling a bit more in beads. I have a necklace about halfway done on my craft table, so I need to finish it up.
I'm also still teaching classes, so I need to get my samples done for the next schedule. More scrapbooking, stamping, crochet, knitting, and a few other classes, but nothing as crazy as what I had going this time. I'm learning my way around how to do classes.
That's pretty much it for now from the crafting department.
I did wanna give a huge shout-out to my fellow ATC Craftsters for being pubbed in ATC Quarterly! Way to go, ladies!!
Beads!
Yep, folks, it has happened. I'm not sure exactly when or how, but I've begun dabbling with beading. I think it happened when an instructor brought her class samples into the store, and I fell in LOVE with one of the bracelets. So anyway, I started off slow, and I'm trying to not go apeshit crazy like I did when I started scrapbooking and knitting. I don't need or want a gazillion beads laying around begging to be used. I have signed up for that class, so I have a couple of weeks to hone my abilities before I really step things up a few notches. It'll definitely be a challenge for me, but we all know that's never stopped me before.
I made this last week. Pretty simple, but I just loved the "tree agate" beads. I used a tute posted over on Craftster, but I can't recall the name of the one who posted it.
My friend Michelle came over last night and taught me the basics of even count flat peyote and tubular peyote b/c I saw a necklace that I wanna make SO badly. So far so good. Of course, today she had to take me to a bead store to get the "right kind" of seed beads (Delicas). Love them! My work feels so smooth and silky with those! Anyway, when I'm done with it *someday* I'll post it. I have to keep walking away from it to take a break b/c the beads are so tiny.
Oh, BTW, if you run across an issue of Bead Trends magazine, look Michelle up in there. She's had several pieces published in there now. Every time she says, "I've gotta show you what I made", I know I should get a towel to wipe up the drool. That woman is friggin' incredible. She's as kind and loving as she is talented.
On the scrappy front, I fallen in love with Tim Holtz' alcohol inks. I've had some for a while, but I didn't really know what to do with 'em. I took a class taught by a Ranger rep, and my admiration for Mr. Holtz' brilliance is once again renewed. I've checked into Ranger U, and I'd love to be able to go to it. We'll see, I guess.
Fiber-wise, I'm crocheting a blanket for my soon-to-arrive nephew. I need to get some more yarn b/c I found THE most adorable patterns for knitted Converse booties and a little devil hat. I can't believe I have NO red yarn in my stash! The booties can be done from leftover stuff I already have, but I *must* make him that hat.
Home remodeling has ceased, and I must say that I'm glad. There's still work to be done, but it can wait for a while for us to relax a little and build the savings back up.
That's about it for an update for now.
I made this last week. Pretty simple, but I just loved the "tree agate" beads. I used a tute posted over on Craftster, but I can't recall the name of the one who posted it.
My friend Michelle came over last night and taught me the basics of even count flat peyote and tubular peyote b/c I saw a necklace that I wanna make SO badly. So far so good. Of course, today she had to take me to a bead store to get the "right kind" of seed beads (Delicas). Love them! My work feels so smooth and silky with those! Anyway, when I'm done with it *someday* I'll post it. I have to keep walking away from it to take a break b/c the beads are so tiny.
Oh, BTW, if you run across an issue of Bead Trends magazine, look Michelle up in there. She's had several pieces published in there now. Every time she says, "I've gotta show you what I made", I know I should get a towel to wipe up the drool. That woman is friggin' incredible. She's as kind and loving as she is talented.
On the scrappy front, I fallen in love with Tim Holtz' alcohol inks. I've had some for a while, but I didn't really know what to do with 'em. I took a class taught by a Ranger rep, and my admiration for Mr. Holtz' brilliance is once again renewed. I've checked into Ranger U, and I'd love to be able to go to it. We'll see, I guess.
Fiber-wise, I'm crocheting a blanket for my soon-to-arrive nephew. I need to get some more yarn b/c I found THE most adorable patterns for knitted Converse booties and a little devil hat. I can't believe I have NO red yarn in my stash! The booties can be done from leftover stuff I already have, but I *must* make him that hat.
Home remodeling has ceased, and I must say that I'm glad. There's still work to be done, but it can wait for a while for us to relax a little and build the savings back up.
That's about it for an update for now.
Another remodel under my belt!
All the deets and pics are over on my regular blog.
http://www.island-girl-at-heart.blogspot.com/
Aside from that, I'm carving some stamps for a swap over on Craftster, and I still have some UFO's laying around in the knitting and sewing departments. A few more scrapbook pages have been finished up, too, but no pics.
http://www.island-girl-at-heart.blogspot.com/
Aside from that, I'm carving some stamps for a swap over on Craftster, and I still have some UFO's laying around in the knitting and sewing departments. A few more scrapbook pages have been finished up, too, but no pics.
Another big batch of FO's
I've been so busy lately trying to get Christmas gifts made that I haven't taken the time to post. Here's what I've been up to lately.
One of my fellow Craftsters made a Gir hoodie that Breeze absolutely FLIPPED over. Without a pattern and only pics to go by, I managed to pull it off. I totally took her by surprise on Christmas morning when she opened hers. She put it on immediately and didn't take it off all day.
And because Kat LOVES bright green and monkeys, when I saw the fabric for the Gir, I knew I had to get enough to make her a hoodie also. She's not into Gir and is more of the sporty, preppy-type dresser than her sis, so hers is a simple green with white trim.
And for my monkey girl, I stepped up my crochet a few notches and attempted to a Curious George. As I went along, it looked less and less like "George" and more and more like "Georgette". I went with it, made a dress, and added hair, making it officially a monkey girl. The hair gave her a look of dreds, but it was done, and it was crunch time of finishing gifts.
We thought Kat had lost the wrist warmers I made for her last year, so I whipped out another pair. Of course, after I finished them, wrapped them, and got them under the tree, we found the original pair. Good thing I went with different yarn this time!
Wreath for the front door
For my dad...what began as a beanie morphed. It was too big and the yarn was way too scratchy for his widdle bald head. I filled it with goodies before I sent if off.
For my stepmom...She loves to embroider, so I made her a sewing kit for her supplies.
Closed...(I've since added a ribbon trim and bow around the lid)
And opened...(now filled with new needles, scissors, thimble, etc)
And opened...(now filled with new needles, scissors, thimble, etc)
One of my fellow Craftsters made a Gir hoodie that Breeze absolutely FLIPPED over. Without a pattern and only pics to go by, I managed to pull it off. I totally took her by surprise on Christmas morning when she opened hers. She put it on immediately and didn't take it off all day.
And because Kat LOVES bright green and monkeys, when I saw the fabric for the Gir, I knew I had to get enough to make her a hoodie also. She's not into Gir and is more of the sporty, preppy-type dresser than her sis, so hers is a simple green with white trim.
And for my monkey girl, I stepped up my crochet a few notches and attempted to a Curious George. As I went along, it looked less and less like "George" and more and more like "Georgette". I went with it, made a dress, and added hair, making it officially a monkey girl. The hair gave her a look of dreds, but it was done, and it was crunch time of finishing gifts. We thought Kat had lost the wrist warmers I made for her last year, so I whipped out another pair. Of course, after I finished them, wrapped them, and got them under the tree, we found the original pair. Good thing I went with different yarn this time!I had the tiniest bit of leftover yarn and started goofing around with it and made this ornament.
One part of Mom's...
And finally, my first felting project! Because Breeze is such a little purse hound, I knew she'd love this. There was some frustration and shouted expletives on my part when I discovered pattern corrections AFTER I'd knitted the pieces and began putting them together, but I fixed it and moved on. This is "Letter Have It" from S'n B Nation.
A plethora of craftiness
I really *am* a knitter! Although lately it doesn't appear that way. I've done WAY more crochet since this stupid wrist thing.
~~~
I found all of these upholstery remnants at a thrift store in NC (damn, I miss those! ) and knew I'd find a use for them eventually.
In the early stages, B laughed her little butt off b/c she said the design looked like upside down panties.
~~~
B came home from school oohing about a beanie her boyfriend was wearing and wanted one like it. Being a crafter, I usually can't bring myself to just BUY something without trying to make it myself first. So I found a pattern, pulled some Microspun outta my stash, and a few hours later, I was done. That NEVER happens when I knit! Anyway, this is the end result. Isn't she the cutest thing?
So a couple of days later (yesterday), she wanted matching wrist warmers. Again, being the ever-spoiling Mom, I found a pattern and whipped these up. I had never crocheted a pattern or shells before, so this was a total newbie thing. They're a little more loose than I had hoped they'd be, but she didn't want them to be snug.
~~~
And on the altering front, I signed up for a camera swap over on Craftster. A roll of film (or a disk if you're digi) of your town and a frame, and that was it. My partner loves the beach, even though she lives in MI, so I thought I'd send a bit of the ocean to her.
I took a plain wood frame from Michael's, some decoupage medium, mulberry paper, and some of those glass (half?) marbles, and cranked this baby out. She received it today and loves it. :)
~~~
The seamstress in me has been screaming to get some attention lately, so I turned her loose to see what she could come up with. The design is my own, and after a few frustrated attempts and figuring out the lining, I'm groovin'.I found all of these upholstery remnants at a thrift store in NC (damn, I miss those! ) and knew I'd find a use for them eventually. In the early stages, B laughed her little butt off b/c she said the design looked like upside down panties.
~~~
I have one other completed project, but since it was just mailed today, I can't post pics yet. Therefore, no peeking or hints, fiesty! I'll post pics once I know she's received.
Aside from some ATC's, that's about the extent of my craftiness these days.
Pablito!
Isn't he cayoot!? He's my latest crochet creation and stands about 4 inches tall. He's supposed to be a penguin, but he just cracks me up. I love projects that make me giggle as I put them together.
Tendonitis is still kicking my ass and interfering with my knitting, but I'm determined to not let it get the best of me. I cast on my first pair of socks, and that's about as far as I've gotten. That poor market bag is apparently just not meant to be. It may end up in the "frog pond", but I'll let it sit on the needles for a while longer.
I'm trying to give myself more crafting time and less house renovation time these days, so I've done a few LO's, some cards, ATC's, etc. My poor sewing machine is still feeling the neglect, though.
Determination will get me back to creating and posting more, but for now, this little penguin is all there is to post.
Tendonitis sucks!
I've been in a brace and unable to knit for way too long now, and it's driving me nuts. My poor market bag is in my WIP drawer on the needles, begging to be finished. See how sad it looks? 
So since I can't knit, I taught myself to crochet. Yeah, I know. But what can I say? I think I have a yarn addiction! Here's what I've done so far.
*********
This hat is made from THE softest yarn. I would've never thought bamboo yarn would be soft, but it's so yummy. I started a scarf from the 2nd skein, ran out, and the yarn store where I bought it doesn't carry that color anymore. *sigh* I'll have to find some online somewhere.
After the hat, I found this really cute wine glass flip-flop pattern, so I gave that a shot this morning. Including the three times I had to frog it, it took me just a couple of hours to complete. That's a HUGE deal for me, b/c I'm used to knitting being a slow process.
Here's a closeup. It's a coaster that stays attached to the glass!
That's about the extent of my craftiness lately. I've done some ATC's, made some dolls and a few scrapbook pages, but nowhere near as much as I'd like.
The Hub is back from Iraq now! I'm SO glad that deployment is over! Keeping fingers crossed that that was the last one, but I won't hold my breath.
So since I can't knit, I taught myself to crochet. Yeah, I know. But what can I say? I think I have a yarn addiction! Here's what I've done so far.
*********
This hat is made from THE softest yarn. I would've never thought bamboo yarn would be soft, but it's so yummy. I started a scarf from the 2nd skein, ran out, and the yarn store where I bought it doesn't carry that color anymore. *sigh* I'll have to find some online somewhere.
After the hat, I found this really cute wine glass flip-flop pattern, so I gave that a shot this morning. Including the three times I had to frog it, it took me just a couple of hours to complete. That's a HUGE deal for me, b/c I'm used to knitting being a slow process.
Here's a closeup. It's a coaster that stays attached to the glass!
That's about the extent of my craftiness lately. I've done some ATC's, made some dolls and a few scrapbook pages, but nowhere near as much as I'd like.
The Hub is back from Iraq now! I'm SO glad that deployment is over! Keeping fingers crossed that that was the last one, but I won't hold my breath.
How friggin' cute is this??
He's about 12 inches tall and 10 inches thick...like a big ole pillow with arms and legs.
Breeze is ALL into anime these days. I made this after she found it on an anime website and "awwed" over it like 16yo's do. She's in a swap over on craftster, so in her research, she discovered "Riceball".
Yeah, imagine my confused expression when she said, "Mom, will you make me Riceball from Fruits Basket?" Being the completely uncool old mom, I was thinking, "Do you have a recipe?" You know that look German Shepherds give you with the head cocked to one side, completely bewildered? Yeah, that was the expression on my face.
So she showed me the pic. She made a small one for her swap partner, and this was leftover furry, uber-soft faux fur I had laying around in my stash. Do you ever wonder, "When and what in the hell did I buy *that* for??" Yeah, one of those things.
As I was finishing him up at 2:30 Sunday morning, I couldn't stop laughing at it. I got his face off-center, so I told Breeze that he either fell off the table and it all smooshed to one side or is eating something REALLY sour. Either way, I'm loving how he turned out. I fought the anime thing as long as I could, but when your kid is into something, what can you do, ya know?
All of my progress is over there
The rooms are almost finished! All of the pics are posted over on my regular blog. Check 'em out! http://www.island-girl-at-heart.blogspot.com/
Tomorrow is crop day! I hope to get some LOs done, and maybe a few ATC's as well. I may spend the entire day catching up with friends, though. ;) It's SO good to be back home!
Tomorrow is crop day! I hope to get some LOs done, and maybe a few ATC's as well. I may spend the entire day catching up with friends, though. ;) It's SO good to be back home!
Has it really been a month now?
So much has happened since my last post. We closed on our house and have now moved home! I've met one of my neighbors, and I'm trying to unpack, settle in, and remodel at the same time. Needless to say, with The Hub deployed, it's been slow going. I did manage to get a tiny bit of crafting done last night, though. No pics yet, but I made trivets. It's a set of four with palm trees on them.
One thing I have accomplished is painting my daughters' rooms. Breeze's is still in progress, and Kat's needs to be put back together, but I'll be working on both today. I'll post pics once I'm finished.
One thing I have accomplished is painting my daughters' rooms. Breeze's is still in progress, and Kat's needs to be put back together, but I'll be working on both today. I'll post pics once I'm finished.
*Roar* Go Clemson!
With packing and all the other stuff going on, I haven't had a lot of time for crafting. I whipped this baby up last night, though. It's a thank you for a friend of mine who's a HUGE Clemson fan. I'm going to make her a few more, and I'm sure when The Hub sees them, he'll want some for himself, too. ;)
I've also made a few ATC's and posted them on my Flickr acct. This one was an experiment with embossing velvet, and it just grew from there. The rose is one that The Hub gave me several years ago that I pressed in a book.
"Memory"
I've also made a few ATC's and posted them on my Flickr acct. This one was an experiment with embossing velvet, and it just grew from there. The rose is one that The Hub gave me several years ago that I pressed in a book.
"Memory"
Too many WIP's, not enough FO's
Since things have been so crazy around here with buying a house and getting ready to move while The Hub is deployed, my mind has seemed to run away and spiral out of control at times. I've started *many* projects, and that's very unlike me. Normally I have a max of 2 WIP's at a time, but I have about 10 going at the moment. Yeah, that's on top of raising a teenager, packing the house up, getting ready for a yard sale this weekend, and the current Koontz I'm reading.
Anyway, insomnia and the stress of my current situation got the better of me in the wee hours this morning. ~Sidenote: Why are they called "wee" hours anyway?~ With an atc blank and markers in hand, I let them become therapy for me. Sadly, this is the ONLY FO I can claim lately. *sigh*
From gross to kewl! AND I re-wired it!
I picked up this disgustingly nasty lamp at a thrift store for $3 the other day. I saw its potential, so I brought it home. Yeah, I know. Shocking.
Whaddya think?
One more for the day
Gracie had a faux sheepskin liner in her beloved basket. She LOVES that basket, but shedding means laundry. After one too many washings, the liner shrunk and wouldn't stay on. Because she's a fleece whore, I bought a polar fleece pullover at a thrift store and attempted to make a new liner. It turned out too small, so I left it at a blanket in her basket for the longest time. So tonight, being in an exceptionally crafty mood, I searched thru my fabrics and found some purple fleece. It wasn't enough to do much with, so the lightbulb came on.
My second attempt turned out much better. I couldn't even get the liner in place before the little huzzie was in there purring away and making biscuits.
The pic is a little dark, but you get the jist. Yep, she's a happy little furbaby tonight.
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