MrsMulticraft

Chipmunks and gloves

2011-11-19T13:31:00.000-08:00

So I'm trying to blog more. I know you're thinking (again? Really?) And I'm sure you don't believe me. lol I've only tried so many many times.

Well I'm attempting. So I'm going for one new blog post a day. Today The baby is napping (for the moment.) And I find myself with some free time to sew. I have been so excited to make her all kinds of things. I'm working on diapers, stuffed animals and clothing if I'd ever buy more snaps.

But first some back story. I have no idea if you've heard of pinterest. It's this neat site for us crafty folk that is currently by invite only(I have(i think) 4 left if you want one e-mail me your e-mail address). It's basically a bookmarking site, but you get a picture of the item you are "pinning" and can put comments with it. On top of that lots of way to organize your "pins" by "board" so you can create multiple categories for the things you pin to go into. And you can follow other "pinners" or just specific boards they've created.

I have found so many blogs to follow, clever ideas, and tutorials to do through pinterest which is where I saw this little item. I'm a "softee" softy. I love stuffed animals. Never was a girl who liked dolls give me an animal any day. As a result Norrie all ready has quite a few stuffed animals. BUT none made by me. This must be remedied Immediately. This little critter is a chipmunk made from one lonely glove! HOw cute can you get!

Upon starting I had no idea how tiny this little guy/girl would be. but so far I'm done with the machine sewing and the body is stuffed and he/she can fit in the palm of my hand! I am sort of afraid it may be too small for Norrie. Might have to keep this one put up till she's bigger but we'll see.

Key to making a softee is the stuffing. If it's too firm it's not fun, too floppy won't hold it's shape. And don't get me started on too lumpy. UGH! So my tip to achieve smooth stuffing results in your own softees is simple. Small clumps of stuffing worked in with a tool or finger. You'd think this would achieve the opposite result but it doesn't! It lets the stuffing (be it polyfil or cotton) move into the cracks and crevasse's and work around for a smooth finish.

Hopefully I"ll be able to update later today with a picture of the chipmunk. But for now a link to the tutorial:
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2008/recycled-glove-how-to-make-a-chipmunk-softie/

And Pin Credit!

Source: etsy.com via LILLELYKKE_com on Pinterest

Nursing Shirt DIY

2011-10-28T18:24:00.000-07:00

Hopefully it goes without saying but please do not make items from this tutorial to sell online. I don't mind if you sell them in your locall area but you must give credit to me for the idea. My blog url would be acceptable. This tutorial may not be copied or sold in any manner. all the pictures and text are copyrighted to me, Bethany Hall as of October 2011.

So since having Norrie I've been breastfeeding. the benefits are great for her and me. (lower risk of breast cancer for the win!)

The only downside? Like pregnancy clothing nursing/breastfeeding tops are super expensive! I'm sorry but 40.00 and up is ridiculous and highway robbery. So I took matters into my own hands and I want to share so we can all have inexpensive but cute nursing shirts!

Materials:

2 t-shirts. One should be the size you wear and one should be slightly bigger. I used two juniors OP "elbow sleeve" shirts from wal*mart. The bottom main shirt is a large and the one I cut up is an xl.

Wash and dry them. That finish in the shirts is awful and makes the finished product less stretchy.

A washable fabric marker(felt tipped works best)
Ruler or tape measure
Pins
Scissors
(not pictured) Thread in the main color on your shirt. I used white.

Measure down from the center front of your neckline about 3 inches and mark. Also mark between your breasts. I marked about an inch and a half centered between the two.

Mark about 1.5 inches from the side seam on each side.

cut the from one of the lines between the breasts, to the line near the side seam.

You should have this. Repeat on other side.

Mark about 8.5 inches from the bottom hem of your extra shirt. I used a pin for this. You can use less but I had a striped shirt and wanted them to line up as much as possible.

Cut up the side seams and then across the area with the pin.

This is where you should be at.

Now start pinning at the top. I line the raw long edge of the panel up with the wide stripe just below the neckline. For a non striped shirt you will start just below the neckline. Make sure to turn the raw edge under just a bit as you pin.

Here's the shirt with the top edge pinned.
repeat on the sides.

In the case of knit shirts I'd say more pins are better. It helps prevent the fabric from slipping and stretching to much during sewing.

Make sure you have a full or nearly full bobbin. This way it won't run out while you are sewing.

You want ball point sewing needles. Use the orange band. Ball points won't tear the knit fabric.

Your stitches per inch should be around 8.

Set your stitch to a nice big zig-zag.

Tension should be fairly tight.
Now we can start sewing!

Hold your top thread tight for your first few stitches. This makes sure the machine is sewing at even tension. Also don't pull your fabric as you sew. If you do this with a knit it will stretch and warp. Let the machine pull the fabric through on it's own. Just guide it with your hands.
Start sewing at the bottom of one of the sides, work up the side, across the top, then down the other side.

To turn a corner stop with the needle in the down position.

Lift the presser foot. The lever on the back of my machine is up to lift the presser foot.

Turn the fabric, and put the presser foot back down.

Lever down and so is the presserfoot. Sew the rest of the fabric.

Pull a few inches of thread out.

And cut in the middle.

Stitches on the shirt. :)

Remove your pins.

Now you will have two threads on the outside of the shirt. one on each side of the side seams. Thread one through a needle.

And push through to the back layer.

Remove the needle.

Some people simply cut the threads but I've had projects fall apart when this is the case. SOOO Tie them in a knot.

Then clip close to the knot. Repeat on the other side.

Remember the holes you cut in the bottom shirt? Now we're going to finish the edges, technically you don't have to but it will prevent them from stretching out too much. Feel free to stop at this step.

Just make sure to wash your shirt before you iron it. If you iron it the marker marks won't come out. Wash it first. :)

Start sewing. Make sure to have one of the steps of the stitches go on the fabric, and one on the opening.

Hopefully you can see what I mean in these pictures.

Make sure to turn your corner and then come down the opposite side of the hole.

Pull out a fe inches of thread and cut.

You will have two threads on the outside and two on the inside.

I couldn't get a good shot of this but tie the two on the inside in a knot and cut close to the knot, and repeat with the two on the outside.
Follow he same procedure for the opposite opening.
And you're done!

And you're done! Nursing bras are ugly maybe one day I'll tackle those...
The best part about this shirt is you can make it with long or short sleeves. And for very cheap! The two shirts I used for this tutorial cost about 5.00 each. Same for the blue one in the bottom pictures.
To Nurse simple unclip the nursing bra, and lift up the front flap. The openings should be right across the breast with the nipple fairly close to the middle.
Easy peasy!

Welcome Earthside Norrie

2011-10-28T13:19:00.000-07:00

I woke up at 1:30am Monday August 29th with some crampy contractions. They weren't regular so I tried to sleep but couldn't. Hubby woke up at 3 and I told him what was going on. He decided to stay home and work a half day. We went for a walk around 1 in the afternoon. After calling our midwife and my sister. Sister decided to head over and hang out. Midwife said she'd be by in an hour or so based on my description of the contractions.

walked halfway up the street and came back. That seemed to move things along. When my midwife got there we were at 4cms and very thin and stretchy cervix.

She went to finish her prenatals for the day and called her assistant to come stay with us in the meantime.

We labored standing, leaned over the bed or birth ball and on all fours in child's pose. By 6 pm we where at 6 cms. I was told I could try the birth tub. Baby wasn't happy about the tub temp so we had to get out. I was so sad because asside from size the tub felt wonderful. I do not remember at what time we where told we where at 9cms with a tiny bit of cervical lip. I was told not to push just yet but try to relax and use little grunts to move baby down.

So we started pushing for real around 1 am. I wasn't getting far in the tub (which We'd decided to try again once we where further along) so they had me get out and use the birth stool. I liked gripping the handles on that. At that point each push was a little progress but not Much. Her heart rate had some decels but they came back up on their own and where within the norm. I know I yelled and screamed a bit. Poor hubby was so upset watching me in pain. He told me later that he didn't understand some of the sounds I was making or what they meant so it was hard for him to know how to best help me occasionally. Finally after multiple positions we found one that worked. On my left side with my leg up in the air. Hubby supported my leg because my arms felt like they where going to fall off at that point. At 3:55 am Tuesday morning Norrie was born. I was so thrilled to have her OUT! Pushing was really the best part for me. I was working with the pain and could feel the progress rather than just dealing with it.

I tore in two small spots. My midwife reffered to them as "skid marks" since they are super small and surface only. I'm convinced the water, and heat, and perenial massage during pushing is why it was so minor.

When Norrie came out she had meconium all over her and had breathed some in. Her breathing sounded "like a purring kitten" according to my hubby. The midwifes suctioned a good bit out but she still sounded terrible and was having trouble crying. My main midwife asked hubby if he could call emergency services so they could continue to use oxygen and suction on Norrie. Hubby called and was very calm. EMS arrived right as Amie cut the cord. Hubby went with Norrie and the midwifes assistant followed. (as we'd planned in case somthing happened)There was no indicator of meconium during the birth and even when my water "broke" we.didn't see anything.

I delivered the placenta after being given a dose of angelina? And pitocin (to prevent Post Partum Hemorhage). I'm doing great and healing really well. I don't even feel the torn areas much at this point.

The hospital got us set up with a room due to us wanting to breastfeed. The newborn nursery nurses where awesome at keeping us updated till we got our room. They where great and asked us what we wanted to do for everything and respectful of our wishes when we said we didn't want something done.

Sadly the second night they needed our room for other families. And since we where not the paitients we where not the priority Norrie was. So that second night we sadly went home and left our baby in the newborn nursery. That was the hardest thing I've ever done. Even harder than giving birth. We went to walmart to pick up a few things and I heard a little baby cry and about broke down in tears. Thankfully the next day after sitting with Norrie for a few hours we where released and able to go home.

I had said all along if we had to go to the hospital I would be ok with it because it would be where we needed to be. We where mentally prepared in case such an event happened and either the baby, myself or both of us needed to be transfered. My midwives followed proper procedure to the letter, and I am happy I got my unmedicated home birth.

My support team (hubby and sister) where awesome.

My midwife stayed overnight with me and when I woke up she'd cleaned up everything and run the washing machine all ready. She cooked me breakfast fed me, checked my bleeding then after I fell back asleep washed all my dishes and unloaded and reloaded my dishwasher. My house looks like nothing happened except there was a mattress in the floor wher I'd given birth and slept.

I feel so blessed! Norrie weighs 7 lbs 3.3 oz and is 19 inches long. We speculate it took 3 hours to get her out due to my tailbone having been broken when I was younger. Total we where in 17 hour of active labor(4cm's and beyond in dialation) and 3 hours of pushing.

Norrie Marie Hall is now Almost 2 months old. I've been trying to get back to normal life and i's been hard but she is worth every bit of frustration, sleepless night, shower-less day, and spit up covered shirt.

Skeptical Norrie Is Skeptical.
I mean could you get upset at this face?

Musing and Pondering

2011-06-04T09:09:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I was doing some simple fixes to some clothing I bought at the thrift store. And as I was unpicking dead elastic from a skirt I got to thinking that with tough times like this more people need simple sewing skills. How to mend a hole, (in jeans or a knit) how to remove a zipper and replace it, how to patch a worn out section of fabric, how to hem a pair of pants or skirt, how to remove old elastic and replace it. etc.

And I got to thinking that perhaps some tutorials are in order for basic sewing and mending skills? So if I did make some tuts(I can even make video and text with pictures.) which ones would you want to see first?

1.) How to mend a hole, (in jeans or a knit)
2.) how to remove a zipper and replace it,
3.) how to patch a worn out section of fabric
4.) how to hem a pair of pants or skirt
5.) how to remove old elastic and replace it
6.) Other(comment to tell me what this is.)

Please comment and let me know!

White tunic top

2011-05-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

A simple shirt costs so much full price. Like anywhere from 40.00 and up! It's nuts! NO way not for this thrifty momma.

I used a tutorial I found from here:
http://diymaternity.com/tops/how-to-make-a-maternity-peasant-top-from-a-mens-button-shirt/
I used a men's button down shirt that was 1.00 on clearance at the thrift store. I only found one tiny tear in the bottom of the pocket which I patched and the pocket had to be removed anyways.

I'm going to take the lace off the sleeves since I don't like it now that I've worn it a few times. And add the pocket I picked off the breast area to the bottom on my hip since I love my pockets. :)

Skirt to shirt Tutorial

2011-05-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

So in my hunt for cute things to wear while pregnant I've also decided to make some things. This is one of my projects. I've made one other top as well but I'll post it separately.
I started with this super full tie died panel skirt. it has a knit waistband, and stretch cotton base fabric.
For some reason it had a dual layered waistband. I put the skirt on my mannikin's with the waist around the neckline so you can see how small the top waist band was. I cut this layer off:

See how weird and bulky that is. Trust me much better shorter. You could also open a small hole on the inside and add elastic if your waistband is less easy to alter. Or trim down, turn under and add elastic or ribbon.

Next I folded the skirt in half, and then in half again. I measured about 1/3 of this and parked with a pin. Only pin through 2 layers. Then pin through the bottom 2 layers as well.

See 2 pins.

In seperate layers.

I then cut up this an amount that looked good to me. Pin up both sides. the "point" of the V shaped cut will be your armpit.

Measured and cut the other section from that pin up to the same measurement.

Pin up both sides of this cut.

Next sew up both of these and since this was a very wide full skirt I didn't worry about it being perfect.

Ta-da! Finished product. There are sleeves on both sides but I only had room to pull out one sleeve to show you. I plan to wear this on our cooler days this summer since it's a thin breathable cotton. Would be cute with a belt on the empire waist.

Maternity and Nursing Pattern/Tutorial Round-up

2011-03-25T18:23:00.000-07:00

Now that I've told you where you can buy cute patterns, why not some places you can get free ones? Or tutorials with info on converting your old stuff?

Well lucky for you I have been hunting and googling and "yahooing" and searching high and low and have found some!

So Some of these have probably been deleted or moved but for the most part these are all there!

Nursing:

Nursing Top W Tutorial

Twist Top with a Twist

Ready to Wear to Nursing Conversion

(No pic)

Convert a T-shirt Pattern to Nursing

(No Pic)

No Sew Nursing Tank

(No pic)

Regular Bra to Nursing

(No pic)

Maternity:

Babydoll top Great for pregnant bellies too!

DIY Maternity Jeans

Adapting a Pattern to Maternity

(No pic)

Full Tummy Adjustment

(no pic)

Old Jeans to Maternity Pencil Skirt

Homemade Bella Band

(No pic)

Part 2 coming soon!

Maternity Musings Part 2

2011-03-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

So now that Ive blasted all the bad, non cute, maternity patterns I thought Id share some of the ones that are cute with you all. Now these aren't perfect. So I've also included some non maternity patterns that could easily work for maternity clothing with very little tweaking.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65438163/simplicity-6415-vintage-70s-misses?ref=sr_list_37&ga_includes[0]=tags&ga_search_query=maternity+sewing+patterns

This sundress is pretty cute. Plenty high enough to make the bump look cute. and the bust looks fitted enough to be comfy. Maybe with the right bra pads in it you could even go without a bra. Several lengths good for anyone's taste.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70145279/simplicity3645-maternity-sewing-pattern

Now this one is a scrub top but in the right fabric this could be cute. I love the mock wrap front, and pockets! Score! If you are a mom to be who needs a bunch of scrub tops for work this is your answer!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69927707/simplicity-4704-maternity-dress-top

I love this pattern since it has so many options. The strapless dress in the example is fairly plain but it's something to work with. Add some cute trim, or details or in a really pretty fabric and this could make a mom-to-be her whole wardrobe!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52654411/1970-smock-blouse-hippiesque-blouse

I am a sucker for hippie styled blouses. I think this top could work even in the summer if done with a nice breathable cotton or woven fabric. I particularly love the one on the african amaerican woman. The neckline is so pretty! This isn't technically as far as I can see a maternity top but it could easily get you though that awkward in between phase where regular clothing doesn't fit, but the maternity clothes are too big.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50986552/vintage-60s-simplicity-4506-maternity

Even though I hate adding them I love a simple ruffle. I love the neckline on this one, and the ruffled sleeve option is sort of charming. Though for summer I'd probably make the sleeveless dress with the ruffle on the bottom.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56713343/vintage-1978-maternity-top-pattern

Now you must ignore the little evil bow on view 1 and instead focus on how cute the middle option is. Cute yoke top, with pockets and looks like it would breathe well in the summer. I'm not super fond of the sleeves but change them out with the sleeves from a different pattern and I'd call this one a hit.

Last I want to give you some current patterns! First Megan Nielson has some super cute modern maternity clothing. And I've herd great things about her patterns!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/megannielsen

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67374584/sis-boom-dana-top-with-scientific

This top has 2 options and is super cute. I believe option 2 is a dress. love that they have their own fabric too!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62413964/fabulous-wing-blouse-pdf-patterns-and

I think the thing I love about this blouse is the sleeves. They are so pretty! And I love how I can picture it before during and after pregnancy.

I'm going to have to stop for now! I have many more to show you but my hubby is in bed and I should be too! It's getting late and I'm growing a person inside me after all. :)

Once again I hope the owners of these etsy shops are ok with me posting my musings on their items! I have provided a direct link to the items (with the exception of Megan's who I have linked to her etsy shop itself) so you can purchase them without a problem if your heart desires! Enjoy!

Maternity Musings

2011-03-15T17:17:00.000-07:00

So I've now been pregnant for 17 weeks and have started looking and purchasing maternity clothing. For someone who has been reconing clothing I've been cringing at the concept of purchasing new. So I've built most of my wardrobe so far from thrift-ed or clearance items. I've not paid more than 12.00 so far for any tops. But I really think it would be fun to make some of my own. I'm sort of picky on how wide the straps on my tops are (must hide the bra straps.) and I want them long. I like my shirts to cover the top of my pants pockets already.
So making my own clothing is looking more and more appealing. Add to that all the pans for maternity don't tend to have pockets. For example I have several knit pants but the 2 with pockets look like p.j. bottoms. So I need pockets!
So I started the hunt first for free patterns. Well those I think I found 6 tops, 6 pants, and 6 misc things like belly bands and such. I am going to be wearing a lot of skirts probably since I'll be preggers till august and it is very humid here in summer. So skirts I must have and can make no problem. But tops I need some more of!
So I started searching etsy.

First thing I notice about vintage patterns. They are a-line tents that flare from directly under the arms down. Button down the front and have sleeves case in point:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/43256813/mccalls-maternity-pattern-size-ex-large
how is this flattering? What woman's body pregnant or otherwise is shaped like an A? Would you buy a piece of clothing shaped like that off the rack? If not why make it?

Next we have the horrendous Extra plus sized clothing:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/13660156/mccalls-4698-misses-maternity-top-vest
http://www.etsy.com/listing/42405914/mccalls-3604-maternity-dress-top
These are the things that where basically made BIGGER rather than made to actually fit. Typically up-sized originally from a juniors cut or such. I do not know many plus sized woman shaped right to pull of something like that so why a pregnant one?
On top of that women have curves. We like to show off our best ones. Why wear a box?

The next offender is the bow:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/6364608/mccalls-7417-misses-maternity-dress-top
A bow in the right place might be a cute femine touch. This is not one. Arguably this is not the worst offender. But still not good. How does it stay closed over the belly if there are only 3 buttons at the top? And if that is a seam down the front and not a flap why? Who wants a seam down the front of their dress/shirt? The only redeaming quality in this pattern is the cute puffy sleeves.

Now I want to know what woman who is all ready pregnant and has a huge belly wants to make her hips look huge as well? Would you wear view C while pregnant:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/64370137/vintage-mccalls-maternity-set-pattern
Not to mention the horrid matchy matchy pants? Sure I'd like to look like a summer squash in the summer!

Now we have the worst offender before I get to the halfway decent ones. I give you "maternity underear":
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51213371/1970-uncut-sew-lovely-lingerie-pattern
Now first, it may be a simply poor diagram but do those not look like ruffles across the front? What woman who is already pregnant and twice her size would want to put on ruffle front panties, under the tend dress, and become 4 times her size? What woman who is not pregnant would want her belly to stick out more than her rear?
I say no one. But hey what do I know?

Now these aren't so bad:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/68927848/vintage-maternity-dress-and-jacket
At least there are darts on the front of this dress so it will flow nicely over the belly rather than tent out.

This one isn't terrible but once again nothing really special about it:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/39271102/vintage-maternity-dress-tops-pants
They still are slightly tent like but the sleeve shape is interesting.

Last I give you the worst nursing top of all time:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/53051871/mccalls-maternity-nursing-tops-pattern
Why oh why would you want to appear like you've layered a crop top on a t shirt? Or chopped the top of a perfectly good shirt off and sewn it on top of a regular shirt? I'd say the only one here that would fool someone is the vest option since that's at least sort of inconspicuous.

I will say there are some gems out there and once I've compiled more than 3 I will make a post with them as well. :) I hope the etsy shops these are listed in do not take offense as I've linked them in case someone stumbling on my post decides they simply must have the pattern and wants to purchase it. And please know I am not critisizing any shop owner for having these patterns but the designer of the patterns for not thinking outside the box in their designing.

Us preggo's want to look cute too! And we like things like ruffles, and layers, and flowers, cute prints, sheers, ties, and buttons. Just not used in these ways!

Baby update 2

2011-02-09T08:18:00.000-08:00

So I have had 2 appointments, one with my previous care provider and OBGYN and one with my Midwife. I see the midwife again on the 24th.
So far baby is doing well and i'm feeling pretty god right now. I am at 12 weeks and doing well so far. There's conflicting info on if I'm out of the first trimester. Old standards where that I am out of there but new are saying it's not over till the 13.5th week.
So I was dealing with Nausea for awhile but not really sick. I found bannana smoothies helped a lot. I used a whole banana and a small cup of banana yogurt, and tossed in some frozen berries. Typically strawberries.

This helped a LOT. Thankfully I'm doing much better now just have gas, acne, and bad breath. :P Ah the joys of being preggers! lol

exciting news and new updates to the blog

2011-01-01T16:25:00.001-08:00

So I had something really exciting happen to me the week of the 16th. We found out we are pregnant! I'm very excited as is the hubby. This will be our first. I had to wait to post about it though as I have family that reads my blog and I didn't want to spoil the surprise.
we told them on Christmas day and the day after(2 separate families and get togethers) And everyone was surprised and thrilled for us.

as a result I've been learning all kinds of things about dealing with morning sickness, and heartburn, (both of which I'm experiencing a lot). And the hubby encouraged me to start blogging about it. Since I've been wanting to add more family stuff to my blog this seems like a good idea.
So I'll be updating on my progress in the pregnancy and new tricks I've tried to get rid of the ick feeling.
We have our first Doctors appointment on the 4th and are meeting with our possible midwife/doula on the 6th. We are probably going to use a birthing center rather than a hospital for many many reasons. And I'll be sharing those thoughts and plans with you all as well.
I have offically quit my job and will no longer be working and hope to spend the time stocking up my etsy store and preparing the babies room. Which means some major house cleaning. I will be combining the hubby's office with my craft room. SCARY! And that means downsizing as well. I will be packing and getting rid of things and just generally all that prep work that happens when one has a child. So excited!
Next post soon!

Fixing Dry Rotting Leather/fur

2010-12-13T17:00:00.001-08:00

I have this old red fox vintage stole that I purchased online thinking it had "holes" in it. I got it to find it dry rotted. The seller sent me a new stole and told me that I should keep the first one since she'd only throw it away.
Now weather or not you agree with furs you have to think that's pretty aweful since the animal gave it's life to create that fur. I couldn't bring myself to throw the stole away. My plan was to make the hair into jewelry but The more the fox sat the more attached I was. My Little Sis S-Girl decided he was "that baby fox" and I started to think of him as baby. I couldn't throw him away.
I had to save him.
Then tragedy struck.........................
While we were out of town for 3 days, my naughty kitten decided to have some fun in my craft room on my work table which he knows is off limits. he played with the fox and shredded a large portion of the foxes fur.
I saw the mess and was about in tears. The kitten was in so much trouble.
I then learned about a method taxidermists use to fix ears that have "blown out" or have torn/been turned to far. They call it the "dryer sheet method". It involves rehydrating the leather, then gluing a dryer sheet on the inside. When the glue has set you rehydrate again and turn the ear right side out and it holds the skin together. This got me thinking and I thought if I could use glue to adhere the fur/hair to something I could then sew the peices together and fix my fox.
So I started working. I made 2 videos today of the process. they are blurry and fuzzy but I hope they will explain how it works.
The first is just and explanation. The second shows me working in real time. It's about 25 minutes of video but should give you an idea. If there's anything not explained well then please let me know and I'll reshoot!
Explanation:

Demonstration:

I'd love to know what you think or if this is helpful. I am going to try to figure out why the video's are fuzzy.

AWESOME Cheese Sauce

2010-12-02T18:02:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to add my cleaning and cooking tips to my blog for awhile so this is the first installation in that trend! I'm a homemaker and while I'm crafty I'm a homemaker first. I want to share the things I've learned doing what I feel called to do as well as what I make for fun!
(though cooking yummy things is hardly work)

We were making nacho's tonight and I decided to write down how we make our cheese sauce. It get rave reviews when we make it for family and friends. Hubby has taken it to work with chips in the crockpot many times and it's required when they do potluck meals. lol

Here's how to make it:
Ingredients:
1/4 Stick of butter
1/6th cup of flour (half of a 1/3)
1 cup milk (we use 2% or vitamin D)
1 cup of cheese (Read tut before measuring out) I recommend Kraft Mexican blend TACO cheese. It has a light seasoning to it and tastes WONDERFUL melted.
Paprika and red and black pepper to taste

NOTE:I also strongly recommend a nylon whisk and non stick pan. This stuff will stick and become like glue when it cools. The nylon whisk is flexible enough to get in all the crevices of the pan, and mix well without scratching the pan. We got ours at Target for less than 5.00 and use it ALL the time.

Melt Butter in pan on medium heat.
Add Flour and salt and whisk together till smooth.
Remove from heat and add milk then return to heat, (if you do not remove from heat it can scorch in the time it takes to measure milk and add it.)
Stir Constantly till well blended, slightly thickened, and when you stop stirring it starts to bubble. It will be steaming hot.
Here's how you can tell it's thickening properly. the edge of the pan will crust a little and the milk will stick a little.
Add cheese, Do not pack the cheese to measure it.
Stir till cheese has melted.
Remove from heat, add seasoning, and stir in.
Turn burner on low, Serve and enjoy!

I highly recommend you rinse your pan, and soak it before washing. It helps so much(even on nonstick pans)!

Let me know what you think and if you have any questions!

Finally! Skirts. :)

2010-09-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

Finally I can show you the thing that's taken me nearly a month to finish.

The Hubs cleared out his stuff and gave the clothing all to me. (he's well trained and appreciates my thriftiness) So I had a bunch of button down shirts that I knew exactly what I wanted to do with. I've been eying Indietut s's tut for the piecework button down shirt to circle skirt: And so I set to work. I used 3 button down shirts, and one pair of stretchy pants from a thrift store rag bag that I'd been saving to make the skirt. I even pieced together strips to make the waistband.
The fury thing on my wall is a scrap piece of boar hide that I got from someone on Deviant Art. I finally got around to doing something with it. Ideally I'd like to make a hand bound book and use it for the cover but this way it's not folded in some box never seeing light.

And the na cute little skirt made from fabric from my stash. I'd been hoarding it as I only bought 1 yard on etsy and it was very expensive. Well I finally realized I'd been over thinking how to make a skirt with it. I cut it in half and stitched the two pieces together to make a long length of fabric and turned both hems under. Added elastic to the top and wha la! Skirt! So pleased with this one I've actually worn it 3 times so far. I just kept forgetting to take pictures.

Pretty closeup. :) Thanks for reading!

Refashioning

2010-09-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I've been working on one massive refashioning project over the month and it's nearly done. Turned out to be a bigger undertaking than I thought it would but I am loving it so far. I'll keep everyone posted. hope to finish it this week coming up hopefully tomorrow. :)

The pledge

2010-09-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

I Bethany Hall pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 / 4 / 6 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed Bethany Hall.

That's right I've joined Wardrobe Refashion! If you haven't heard of it yet it's something I recently found out about and am in love with:
http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion
I have taken the pledge for 2 months though I may go longer. :) I decided it's finally time as I went through my mountain of clothing for scrap and there is tooo much good stuff in there to get ignored.
On top of that all my friends keep buying things for me for the fabric. Also I keep saying I'm going to finally make my own clothing. Well this time I'm going to do it. I have too much good fabric and skills to let it go to waste.
I hope you all will enjoy watching my refashions and adventures in upcycling continue! They are going to be multiplying in the near future! I have one item all ready nearly done and can't wait to show you!

Men's Golf shirt to Womens Peasant Top

2010-08-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

So I have gone through my stash of t-shirts for fabric/recon's and realized I have way to many. It's actually ridiculous how many I have. Well I recently ADDED to the stash with about 5 of my hubby's shirts that had shrank in the wash lengthwise. Thing is hubby is a 3xl. I am a women's medium or small. Results? Lots of fabric to work with!
So I took a green stripey golf shirt and tried a tutorial I found on craftster for a "10 minute" peasant shirt reconstruction. Found here(click text).
And While for me it took about 45 minutes still super easy and I will definitely do it again!
This photo shows more of my craft room than the shirt. It's a mess but I thought some might like to see it. I find I work better in oraganized chaos. And Yes Powerade is totally a crafting requirement. :)

Tree Print Layering Top!

2010-08-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

This is one of a handful of made from scratch garments I've ever completed. I'm so thrilled with the finished results and love how it came out. It's almost good enough to look like something store bought. Though if you look close you can tell it's not. ;)
However It also is girly and pretty and floaty and just lovely. I am in total love with this garment.

I re-did my math and if you follow my work on Deviant art you'll note I said this was a 4.00 shirt but it's really a 5.00 shirt. (bias tape being most of the cost.)
I will wear it layered over a black tank top with jean or khaki's. I think jeans will look better though. :)
Maybe even over a black long sleeved shirt in winter!
the tutorial I used is here:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=88824.0
My version features a more "normal" neckline rather than a deep V. as deep v's bug the crud out of me.
The top will be worn over a solid black tank top. I have a bra on my mannequin to help with fittings. So you can see that through the shirt but won't when I actually wear it.

I also made the belt, It's elastic velcro and lace. I'm not keeping it a part of the outfit it's just temporary till I get my corset belt made.

Crocheted Items Update

2010-08-08T12:52:00.001-07:00

I've been crocheting a bit too! This is what I've made since february:
Morbid Unicorn Made for Shop the Swap. My big item that took me nearly a month and a half. I am making another for another craftster and will be posting that when done.
There are so many elements in this guy! Plastic straws to hold him up, metal bb's to give him counterweight, many many tiny parts some painted, some glued, some crocheted. the main and tail itself took forever. Well really only on night in front of the t.v to cut and one to attach and unravel but it felt like so much longer. I can make these to sell but they do take at least a month each and I can only make one at a time so it's first come first serve. They are 35.00 and then shipping is about 7.50. :)

Next is a pair of headphones I crocheted around to match my i-pod. simple little mindless project but it made me happy. :) The yarn is cotton.

A baby hat for a swap. Made with I love this yarn baby and white I love this yarn trim.

And last little baby shoes for my sister in law and my soon to be born baby nephew. :) Click to see them bigger! :) Left to right: Baby sandals made with simply soft, Baby chucks made with simply soft and I love this yarn, Baby Cowboy boots made with simply soft and sugar and cream cotton, and baby pirate shoes made with simply soft. :)

T-shirt alterations

2010-08-08T11:58:00.001-07:00

So I've been busy since my last post and wanted to update everyone on what I've been up to. Basically I've finished for the most part my summer taxidermy projects. I hope to do some more this fall or next summer. :)
Here's a WIP shot of the purse I've been making with my deer pelt:
I'm working on making the tail shorter and the rest of the bag later this week. I was hoping to have it done by now but it just isn't going to happen and I've accepted that. But I want to finish it soon and have something to show for my hard work, sweat and worrying!
And now other crafty things:

Green BP T-shirt. I made this from 2 thrift-ed t's that I got for less than 2.00 each! took about a day of sewing total. The White dots around the waist are pins holding the braided trim on till I have time to tack it in place.

Made from a thrift-ed Superman t. Bought for 1.00. I love superman. My dad used to tell us he was superman when we were little and we believed him. It's an ongoing loving joke with my family. So this shirt is very special to me. Sewing took about 2 days becasue I started late on it. But it was a very simple recon. I used the "corset t" alteration from Generation t for the back. But thee are some other alterations going on too. A gathers waist in the back cinches the shirt in and makes it look cute and girly, as do the sleeves details.
This shirt didn't get too much of a makeover but the ribbon trim on the bottom took me 3 tries to get right! The lace bit is stitched in place as is the ribbon under the bust. I like how easy it was once I knew what I was doing.

This little number was a 50 cent shirt from the thrift store. I loved the oriental look to it and the design on the front. However it was just to short and just to small for me. I added the band and opened it up at the hips to give it more room and length but it still didn't fit right. So My sister gets it and she is the one modeling it in the pictures.

I bought a hawk Nelson hoodie at winter jam one year after the hubby and I married. However they only had a size small. I am not a small. More of a medium. well I had this zippered sweatshirt that my mom gave me and I took off the hawk nelson logo's and added them to it. I also added the hood to it. I think it came out pretty good!

Last is a shirt to cardi recon. The shirt was a super low V-neck swimsuit cover up. it had a tie under the bust and a keyhole below that. Though the tie served no functional purpose. I'd tried multiple times to fix the neckline with no success. I have improved in my skills since I tried but you know what? I was sick of making it into a shirt that was wearable. So I made it into a cardigan! I bought the chiffon rose trim at hobby lobby on sale and got it for nearly 1/2 off! *happy dance*
The button was made for my by the lovely loudxmouse of craftster and is polymer clay. I plan to fix the way it buttons and update pictures. I want to buy more of the trim to do the sleeves but haven't been back to hobby lobby to get some. :( I will soon though!

That's my t-shirt recons for the last few months. I will have more stuff to post but I'm breaking them up as much as possible. :)

template in progress

2010-07-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

I'm working out the kinks with my mew template but otherwise I'm fairly happy with it. I'll get that header fixed later today. :)

For those that are wondering where on earth I've been well I have been around I just find updating my blog is something I easily forget. But I have been busy.
I've been working on something that is new for me. Taxidermy. Well part of it anyway. I fleshed, pickled and tanned a deer hide I got from the local butcher who throws them away. I also skinned fleshed and tanned a chipmunk that was hit by a car.

I've not been working on just that though. I've been busy crocheting and knitting. Though the knitting has been super slow. I did do a few t-shirt recons several months ago as well but those will have to wait. I plan to do some more as I went through my stash and I have so many fun awesome shirts just waiting to become something special. I am soon to be doing some sewing which I am very much looking forward too as it seems like my machine and I haven't had a date in ages!

My sister got married, and we got a kitten. So it's been quite busy and silly here when it comes to life! I'll post some pictures of what I've been up too soon!

Reconstructed XXL Chris Tomlin Shirt

2010-02-01T10:45:00.000-08:00

I got this shirt while working at a Chris Tomlin Concert early last year. I loved the words but they only had it in a XXL. I got it anyway because I KNEW I could recon it. Problem was I couldn't decide WHAT to do to it! lol
Well when Alexus1325 posted her shirt here:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=336036.new
I knew what I wanted to do. And she was really sweet and shared how she did her shirt!
So Here's mine. I promise I did measure apparently the shirt was not only sewn slightly crooked before I cut it but they printed the text on without it being centered. *sigh*
I still love it though!
Oh my photography assistant (AKA hubby) Is not in at the moment so the "action shot" has no face Sorry about that!
The shirt has cute shaping, hip gathers, puffy sleeves, and the sleeves are gathered at the bottom. :)

Sari silk yarn!

2009-09-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

I have had a ball of sari silk yarn for awhile now that jane sent me as a gift. I've been holding on to it all this time stroking it, looking at the bright colors and wondering what I'd do with it.
I had recent turn in my life where I've decided I need to do more for myself. I help my mom all the time, I drive people around, I work, I sew for other people, and I don't do much for ME.
So I started thinking a few weeks ago I wanted to pull that yarn out and make something.
I started scouring ravelry for the perfect pattern and finally on Monday I found it! I was so excited I dug out my hook and started.
I have a thing for fairies and pixies as well so I've always wanted a pointed hat that didn't look like a wizards cap. I also thought there would be just enough yarn for this sort of project and I was right! There was less than an inch left over!
It's funky and it's goofy, and it's pretty and pixiesh all at once. I'm thrilled. Enjoy:

I think you get the idea! Thanks so much Jane! It was super sweet of you to send this too me. I confess I crocheted it rather than loomed it but I had to do something quick and this was quik!
For those wanting to know the pattern its:
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=92&d_id=8&lang=us
I didn't realize till about halfway through that I was following it wrong till about 2/3 of the way through. The problem with this yarn is you can't really rip things out easy. so I just kept going and I'm glad I did it came out a bit big but just fine.
Jane's blog is here: http://www.catfeatherz.com/

New puppy

2009-09-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

So last weekend we brought home our new addition to the family. Her name is Lexi and she's a 27lb 10 month old German Shepherd Dog mix. We loaded Khindi up in the 4runner(aka the dog toting vehicle) and went to the shelter to see how they did. We'd all ready seen Lexi the week before but had to ask multiple people if we could adopt as she'd been snatched up by a rescue. Turns out her time at the shelter was nearing an end! Not sure why as she's a total sweet heart and super kissy and love able. Pretty smart too though I'm saving my smartest puppy ever award for when she learns to speak on command. ;)
Lexi did have a few behavioral issues but after interacting with both her and Khindi at the shelter we felt they could be worked through with lots of discipline, exercise, structure, and love.
She has stopped growling at Khindi when we pet one dog and not the other, this happened within a few days. And she's decided wiggling into the front for attention is better. Besides people have 2 hands that's one for each dog right?
the only other problem I've noticed is she is still a bit growly when Khindi wants to play. I think she fears Khindi will take her toys and not share. We purchased multiples of the same toys Khindi had for this very reason. however she is improving on that too.
Yesterday they suddenly decided they are friends and have been playing tag, tug of war, keep away, and wrestling all afternoon. This morning while they stretched their legs and I got ready for work they played some more.
We are working on teaching her to speak on command. She doesn't' quite seem to get this yet but she's trying so hard! She sits all ready and was coming to her name in less than 2 days.
She is on antibiotics as we discovered Tuesday she has a UTI. Thank goodness we're still housebreaking or I probably wouldn't have noticed. Sometimes it's a good thing a dog still pees on the carpet!
We're going to try letting them sleep in the same kennel again tonight and tomorrow and see how that goes. Once she's housebroken I've promised her the only time she has to see the EVIL kennel is if we run an errand. She's a puppy and like to steal things to chew on. So supervision is still a must!
Anywho here's our new pup:
Those are khindi's feet in the background. lol Lexi is small and probably won't get too much bigger. her feet are small too. But she's super cute! I'll update later with video links and more pictures!

Weekend Swap Senders Choice

2009-07-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

One of the other swaps I did recently was the "quick and easy senders choice weekend swap". Basically it was a swap that gave us a week to create then we sent our pacakges, We also got to pick what we sent our partners based on thier craftster profile and thier swap info.
I decided after going through my partners wist that she needed a bag. so I made her one!

I also sent her yarn and a set of the round knifty knitters. I am so pleased with how this bag came out. It is almost exaclty how I wanted it it. Oh and hubby picked the colors! isn't he awesome?
She in turn sent me a bag as well:
It's handwoven! I love it it's really great and I've been wanting a handwoven item for awhile. Then if that wasn't enough she made me some bats/cakes of fiber to spin with. But not just any crazy bats like some would. She really considered what I'd written about being allergic to alpaca and angora and made me bats with fibers i can use and have wanted to play with!
you can see the bats in the plastic to the left of the picture. then on the right is more yarn like what she used to weave my purse. and some tea and soap. :)
I had a blast with this swap.

Remember this?

2009-07-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

"I'm trying to save up for 2 main items for myself and every little bit helps! I still need 170.00!"
Well I have to show you what I was saving for. Now I do need to warn some of you.
This item is made with real fox fur. He was made out of a fox that was skinned for his fur for the garmment industry then they decided his fur was not garment quality. He would have been thrown away and instead he was made into a beautiful item for me.
The girl I commissioned used all garment industry throw always, roadkill pelts and culled pelts. She also donates to the aspca at least once a month using the proceeds from her creations.

With that said I'm going to link this out so if you are disturbed by real fur items you won't have to see this.

Meet Puff the Arctic Fox Soft Taxidermy mount:
http://eliea.deviantart.com/art/Syndey-and-Puff-117800610
Syndey took this picture it shows his face very well:
http://eliea.deviantart.com/art/Puff-a-Sydney-Photo-122453502
http://eliea.deviantart.com/art/Puff-And-Sydney-again-122453990
Basically Puff once was an arctic fox. He was breed in a fox fur farm and was humanely euthinized. Apparently after he was skinned and tanned the farm decided his fur was un-usable! Rather than be thrown away foxycreations bought his pelt and turned him into this soft taxidermy moutn for me. His body is stuffed with polyfill jsut like a stuffed animal and his head has a foam "skull" for shape.
He is not a toy though! He's a beautiful creature and my most cherished possession next to my wedding ring, my sewing machine, and my animals.
He can be used for education. How many people do you know that can touch and hold a fox?
He can be used for artist refernce. his fur is real and that alone is handy, his head is very realistic and his body shows me how he was shaped (to an extent. He doesn't have bones or anything to make it exact).
I plan to take some better pictures soon. These were taken while my camera was dead with my mothers camera and they aren't very good.

The other item I was saving for was a nintendo DS lite. I wanted this so badly. Well hubby bought me one for valentines day. :) And he bought me the new pokemon platinum game for my birthday in April. :) I love it. I have pretty much everything I wanted now. :)

Dollar Store Swap Items!

2009-07-09T08:48:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to show you what I made for my partner in the "Dollar Store Swap". The whole idea was to spend less than 10.00 at the dollar store in supplies and make items for your partner. Well we were supposed to make a medium and 2 smalls. I got mixed up and made 1 large, 2 mediums and a small. First one small. A cute little brid toy for her fluffy kitty:
Then I made her son one of the mediums. It's a case for his DS lite. I used fleece from a baby blanket (1.00) and some cotton star wars fabric from my stash. He was thrilled. Here it is closed:
And open about 1/2 way:
Then I made her a small that was super easy and fun. A stenciled shirt. My partner expressed that she loves helicopters. I used a stock image from deviant art and changed it to 2 colors. then cut out the pieces. I used freezer paper to make my stencil and it worked great:
She also expressed a love for glitter so I mixed fabric paint, and acrylic with fabric medium and got a glittery helicopter. :)
Then She expressed a love for cats and "olden days on the frontier" so I had to do something with seeds. a Cat fancy magazine was sacrificed for this project.
And last I made her a purse with placemats. I used a t-shirt from my t-shirt fabric stash as the lining. I'd been hoarding that purple striped bit for a while. I'd even started to make it into a bag but set it asside and it worked perfectly with my bag! I was thrilled!

For pictures of what she sent me click the link: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=300001.msg3475562;topicseen#msg3475562
I also threw in a few seed starter kits and a book. :) She seemed very thrilled and her son loves his case!

Updates! Poppet updates!

2009-07-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

Well I just realized how behind I am on things I need to post here for you guys to see. I am finally over the terrible illness and have been working and sewing and crocheting like crazy.

I've finished several swaps since last we spoke and have lots of things to show you. So I'm going to break this update up into several smaller posts. As always remember to click the pictures to see full sized!

First the baby poppets for my "aunt" Ginny:
for more pictures please visit Deviant Art: www.deviantart.com/eliea
The poppet made for a personal swap:
This is one of my favorites I've ever made. Her dress was upcycled from an old night shirt I"d been saving. It was the softest pink cotton and buttoned up the front. I cute the top of the dress from the top of the shirt near the straps. And the bottom is from the lower part of the shirt. This way I saved the edging and eyelet detail and I attached it so the buttons go up the back. :)
Next we have the poppet for "I love my Poppet Swap round 3":
Another one that I really hated to give away. But she's in a great home now. Since this is one I worked really hard on I have to show you some more. She's my first ever gothic doll. Most of my poppets refuse to be what I am trying to make them. And she was the exception. She knew I wanted her to be a gothic girl.
The onlything on her storebought is her boots and even those are heavily changed to look right:
I trimmed them down as they were for a much larger doll. then painted them with studs. :) They came out great! I was so pleased.
Her outfit is what I was complaining about a few posts ago. The original top was terrible but her new one is awesome.
She also sports a black bra and mini skirt to make her outfit complete. Hubby thinks she looked like a poppet hooker. I disagree. She looks gothic. Her hair also has purple and teal streaks in it for fun. :)
I have another doll I finished last week but I cna't show her to you yet. :)

Sicker than a Dog

2009-05-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

So I have been sick for over a week now. It started last Monday with a cough. Which progressively got worse. Wednesday I started running a fever. By friday it had started running very high up in the 103 range. I went to the DR. I told them I'd been around both of my parents and they both had pnemonia. The dr ran a flu test. It was negative. Told me my fever had lowered to 100 and that I had a virus like the flu and to get some rest it would have to run it's course.
He wrote a prescription for the cough (which was so bad at this point, my whole body hurt) and a pain med.
I went home. took the cough meds which did not help. Tried to sleep. By 1 am my fever was back up at 103. Hubby and I tried everything. Took some Motrin, uncovered, striped of clothing, used a ice pack and an hour later my temp went UP to 104.2 . So Hubby called our insurance Nurse line and she said go to the emergency room.
At 2:30 they admited me and ran about a billion tests, took x-rays etc. The Dr came in and was very condescending in an "I have a phd and you don't" sort of way. Mentioned my x-ray's looked "beautiful" and I did NOT have pnemonia. told me to alternate motrin and tylenol every 4 hours at a very high dosage to take the fever down.
I went home about 3:30am. Couldn't sleep of course.
Sunday night hubby took youth group to the skillet concert where they were working in order to get in free. About 4:00 pm I get a call from hubby telling me a x-ray tech was looking over my x-rays and noticed I DID indead have pnemonia and I needed antibiotics.
So Sunday Evening my mom who is on meds herself, drove me to the emergecny room to make sure I wasn't toxic. The nurse practitioner was conderend having not seen me yet that I may need to be ADMITED. Luckily upon seeing me and talking to me they didn't need to even stick me. Gave me a new precsription, apologized profusely for the dr's stupidity(and made it sound like he was going to GET IT for missing my diagnosis) and wrote me a blessed prescription for codine cough meds as well as antibiotic.
As a result I have now been on pnemonia meds for 4 days and I am feeling weak and tired but my fever is gone and my cough is still haning on but not like it was. I've been resting on the cough or bed and trying to sleep as much as possible. I have to use the codine to sleep as it seems once I lay down at all I can't stop coughing. I have fits of coughing that I sometimes can't get to stop without taking meds.
And worst of all I sound like some gurgling, slimey, foamy, monster when I breath or cough. So if you hear a strange breathing it's just me not the night sludge monster.

A Tribute to Toby

2009-05-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

I had to post a little goodbye note to my ferret Toby. Toby was adrenal like one of my previous ferrets and I knew he'd have to be put to sleep eventually. His disease must have started on the other side of his body and it wraps around the bowel track pretty quickly that way.

As a result I had to say goodbye to him today. He was a funny little critter. Liked to hide anything he could move:

and was quite the comic. He had a great personality and will be missed.

I know I did the right thing but I will miss him.

what I'm working on

2009-03-24T07:51:00.001-07:00

Many of you may be wondering what I'm up to. And even though I can't post pictures atm I wanted to update you!
i've been doing a LOT of couponing in the last few weeks. Last weekend I went to bloom, they were running a triple coupons up to 99 cents deal, and my 56.00 order was 23.00 after coupons! Hubby and I are fairly well stocked now! And my K-mart is doing a special this week Doubles up to 2.00! Needless to say despite being right in betwee npaychecks hubby and I are going to try to use some of my 1-2 dollar coupons.

In between all of that fun and excitement I have gotten my partner for the Dollar store swap. I'm very excited as we have verey simillar likes and dislikes. We even dislike the same colors! lol I haven't exactly decided what to make her yet but I have some ideas and I'm sure I'll get more once I go to my dollar store. :)

I've been comisisoned by a relative to make 2 poppets. the realitce is named "aunt ginny" but honestly I have no idea how she is realted to me. I think she's a great aunt on my dad's side but not positive. Anyways I totaled up my cost of shipping, decided waht to paymyself per hour, and how much supplies would cost. I came up with 75.00 for two smaller sized poppets. She approved and has request more "human" style so taht's waht will happen. I bought my supplies last weekend and really didn't figure quite enough money but luckily I allready had most of what I needed.
I chalked it up as a learning experience as now I know EXACTLY how much my supplies cost. I will be working on the sometime this weekend hopefully.

Last weekend We left on sunday afternoon and went out of town to visit relatives in atlanta. Before we left I decided khindi finally NEEDED her pillow for in the kennel. I had purcahsed 4, 1.00 fleace baby blankets form the dollar store several months ago planning to ue them for this purpose. I finished her pillow and stuffed it with old clothing from the thrifts stores 1.00 rag bag. I even used the scraps from the pillow to make the ties. To prevent giant dog chewing I sprayed the entire pillow and ties with "bitter apple" or "time out" spray. It's made for teaching puppies waht is not ok to nip or chew on and I bought it for my ferrets as you ahve t otrain them that hands need to be gently played with. My ferrets have ben nip trained for years now and this seemed like a good use fo the spray.
So far I am proud to report it has worked wonderfully! Khindi di manage to untie one tie but I have since retied and re-sprayed and she hasn't touched it.
hopefully now the callouses on her feet will go away. I've been giving her blankets for months but she always tears them up before tehy can do any good so this is a much better solution.

And for myself I've been working on a lom knit hat. While we were out of town I made trip to jo-anns as I try to do every time we go. And found the kk hat loom! I used a 40% off coupon and paid a little over 5.00 for it. I've cast on and have gotten to my first cable cross over. I havne't done it yet but I'm excited! I tried doing this on my yellow loom and it jsut wasn't working.
I am finding it hard to remember where my knits and purls are but I'm refering to the chart and plan to write o nthe pattern if I have to. I can always re-print or type if I need to! I've allready ripped the thing outa t least 3 times and I can se eI foprgot where I was k/p ing on the brim in several places but you know what? I don't really care! lol So long as the rest come sout right I'm happy.

I also completed a personal swap with a sweet lady on craftster for a poppet. She made me a lovely button bracelt in blues and greens. And sent me all the supplies to make those paper butterfly colalge things that martha stwerat came up with. I had a blast putting them together with my 3yo sis. She helped every step of the way with a little supervision. I have plenty of butterflys left and lots of foam adhesive squares so we'll be doing some more soon. It has really started something though as I had to go to micheals and buy a butterfly punch to make more! I bought one slightly bigger tha nthe butterflys I all ready had punched so Sydney and I are going t ohave some fun this weekend! I plan to take some pictures when I see my mom this weekend as I cn barrow her camear. :) So look forward to that soon!

So that's me for now! I should ahve some pictures soon as I have a camera to get developed and plan to get the cd of pictures then and will put some up.

roken Camerab

2009-03-04T07:05:00.000-08:00

Well I managed to kill the digital camera. The lens won't focus and as a result it won't take pictures.
I have no idea when I will get a new camera and till that happens my next few updates will be my last for a bit. I'll still be here and hopefully I will have a new camera in a month or two. I have an old camera somewhere that takes horrid pictures but I don't know if I have a cable for it. If I can find it I'll use that for a bit. But so far unable to find it. :(
The old camera was 5 years old and pretty well used. I've carried it around since hubby and I got married and I'm really not to surprised that it has died.
So just so everyone knows I haven't dropped off the face of the earth.
I am sad though because we finally got snow and I couldn't take any pictures of it as the camera was broken.
I also was unable to take pictures of my entire poppet swap package. I've told my partner to take pictures of what she is sending me as I won't be able to. :( I'm so bummed I cant take those pics.

Poppet work

2009-02-17T08:46:00.001-08:00

I've been working on my partners poppet for the "I love my Poppet Swap Round 3" pretty diligently. Last night was was able to fix her neck, re-stuff the head, and give her eyelashes and lids. I also got her hair all cut out and ready to weft tonight.
I did have one bit of sadness wit hit. I finished the __________________________, and it looks NOTHING like what I wanted it to. I'm so disappointed. 4 days of work and I HATE it. And yes I can hate an in-animate object without feeling the least bit guilty. *nods*
Anyways I'm going to have to crochet it I think to make it look right.
I also have to get the poppet for a personal swap
I plan to work on her this weekend. We are going to granny and pa-pa's and I plan to tote my sewing machine and everything with me. She's going to be so cute. I have some pink items of clothing that I can't wear, (bought to small or shrunk) and I plan to make her a sweater and skirt out of those. She's going to be adorable. :)
Does anyone know if they make alova suede with glitter in it? I would love to find some that would be awesome. (random sorry)
So that's what I've been up to! I get to give PIP1 her clothing and hair tonight and work on PIP2 this weekend. I need to finish them both up by next Friday so I can mail them Saturday. :)

hard at work or hardly working?

2009-02-09T09:45:00.001-08:00

I've been so busy with work right now that I keep forgetting to update everywhere I need to update! I'm finally on track with my deviant art gallery, and now I"m behind here and on ravelry.
*sigh*
We have one of our main therapists out on maternity leave fr an unknown amount of time. this is causing stress not only on my but also my MIL who is basically carrying the company on her own back. On top of that my main office help has had to stop coming in due to her husbands health. So I'm carrying the business side on my back.
Then to top it off the stress is making my skin break out, me get tired and lack patience, me snapping at john( who has been nothing but sweet supportive and helpful) and My MIL is complaining about me coming in late.
This is not what I signed up for! I am sorry but I have come to the realization I am NOT a camel. I am a human being and I am sick of being ridden and trampled on when I am minding my own business.
I look back on the person I used to be and I see that I used to not let anyone tell me how to think, feel or react. I was accepting but firm, and I used to be quite sassy and smart. I used to be able to stand up for myself. I used to be able to think on my own and people would listen to me.

I know not all of that was right but I want some of that back. I have decided to stop being a camel. The next time I am fussed at I will NOT tolerate it. I will NOT sit by and let someone trample on my hard work. And I refuse to have a client, or co-worker speak to me like a child.

Just becasue we are under stress does not make it ok.
As a result of this and my car getting smashed at the end of december I haven't gotten much done.
I've completed a few commisions and hope to do more! (please comment if you are interested!)
I'm trying to save up for 2 main items for myself and every little bit helps! I still need 170.00!
Anyways I'm plaing to try to start weaning the company off me I need a break. I am unapprecaited and feel like crying when I get home. I haven't felt this "depressed" in a long time.
and the last time I quit without giving notice. I can't do that here but I sure wish I could. I hope to go back to working 2 days a week and then leave the company entirely. Don't ge tme wrong it's a great work environment when all is workig correctly but when it's not is stinks. and I just don't want to be stuck with it forever. I'm considering applying for the library or something else. Perhaps part time at petsmart or volunteering at the humane society.

I just signed up for my first swap of the new year. The I love my Poppet Swap round 3.
I am having so much fun making things for my partner. I just finished putting her poppet together last night while watching TV with the hubby. I have to give her hair and clothing but I'm really looking forward to that. :) I hope to do some of it today. right now she is sitting bald and naked next to Kevin's Clone trooper poppet and will soon be joined by a 3rd naked poppet for a personal swap.
I think my favorite thing about the poppets is the time they take to finish. You can't start and finish one in a day. I like that the amount of time is able to be stretched over a few days. this prevents me from going ADD on the project and forgetting it. I can do just as much as I need and then set it aside and go to bed without feeling guilty for not finishing.
The clothing is my favorite part though. Sketching outfits, looking up styles online, and deciding what to make. Picking the right fabric and working hard to make something so tiny look fabulous!
I will be posting some teaser pics soon for those who want to see them. :) if you are not my partner and peruse craftster and want to see how I'm coming PM me for a link to my picture gallery. :)
anyways I have to go.

Please Read!

2009-01-28T06:20:00.000-08:00

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.
Contact the committee on Energy and Commerce (202) 225-2927
PLEASE HELP CHANGE THIS LAW.
Sign these Petitions
GoPetition: Reform CPSIA HR4040
iPetition: CPSIA Impact on the Children's Apparel Industry
AAFA: New CPSIA Product Safety Legislation Needs Clarification Petition

Pink Honeysuckle Dragon Commission Finished!

2009-01-15T08:01:00.000-08:00

I've been working really hard on my first commission of the year. I finished last night and it will be mailed today. I am really happy with how it turned out and wanted to share. :)

Isn't it cute? I think it's adorable. I've refrained from naming it and I'm trying to keep from giving it a gender till the new owner gets it. But It was s ad goodbye between it and my current dragon:

Goodbye pink Dragon I'm sure you will be well loved in your new home!
Dragon is made with my pattern which is available in my etsy shop.

TIny Kitty for a Raffle Prize

2009-01-08T19:36:00.000-08:00

I recently volunteered to donate a prize to a contest raising money for the Durham Humane Society. The building burned down and all the kitties died in the fire.
A fellow crafter on Deviant art hosted the raffle.
Thus this little kitty was born:

And you know what? The raffle raised over 300 dollars for the shelter. All with a bunch of people from deviant art dontating money and a few of us donating prizes. It felt really good to help.
I hope to develop this pattern some more and make more animals with the same body but different other parts. :) Ideas for that would be more than welcome!

Alpaca Pattern in my Etsy!

2009-01-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

The pattern to make your very own alpaca is now available for 3.00 in my etsy shop! If you can't make one I also have a few pre-made available for 1o.00 in my shop. :)

I really want to make one out of handspun yarn as I think that would be really cute!
Stitches are single crochet, with standard increases and decreases, chains, and the loop stitch.
the pattern works up fairly quickly it takes me about 2 hours to crochet the parts and 30 minutes to assemble. So a great quickie project!

homemade christmas 50/50

2008-12-29T09:07:00.000-08:00

So a few years ago I did a 100% homemade Christmas. It was fun but I got in way over my head and was up crafting till 1-2 in the morning Christmas day. (aka not fun.)
Last year I tried to find a balance between the homemade and the store bought. Some family members do not appreciate a handmade gift and I feel like I should not waste my work and tears on something they will not appreciate.
So I really thought long and hard this year and Here are the gift I made and actually took pics of . Yep like the typical thing I am I forgot to photograph a few things. *sigh*

So I made about 8 of these:
and I still need to make 2 more. :) Mom and I worked the E-womens conference last year and saw some simillar and loved them. We did not love the 60.00 and up price tag. I knew I could make them and so I did!

They came out so pretty and light and I love them. They are salvation bracelets and each bead represents a part of the christian walk:
Black= Sin in our lives
Red= Christs blood
White= Washed white as snow from Christs blood
Blue= Baptism (profession of faith) or the Holy Spirit
Green= Growth through the word and fellowship with other believers
Gold= Heaven

I based them off some pictured here:
http://abernook.com/prod/Salvation-Bracelet.asp
However my materials cost a lot less and it cost about 12.00 per bracelet to make. I spent about 15-20 minutes on each one and wha-la easy present. :)

Next we have my brother(17 years old)'s present:
That's right he got link from Legend of Zelda. This was probably my most labour intensive gift. I spent over 2 months crocheting and saving yarn. All of it was made with yarn from my stash! (horray for no buying!) the only purchase was the plastic beads to go in his feet for wieght. Which cost 1.50 as they were on sale. :)

Next my Baby Brother (6 months)'s gift:
Don't worry mom won't let him chew the thing. :) I know saftey eyes aren't really baby safe but mom is very good about watching his toys and embriodered ones jsut wouldn't have looked right.
Jonathan smiled so big when he saw it. :) and he loved that he could grap the arms and such.

Last we have Sydney(3 years old)'s poppet:
Sydney has played with my poppets since I first created moonflower. For whatever reason she was terrified of this one. :( She wouldn't touch her, wouldn't hold her. And even said "I don't like the poppet" *sigh*
she did say it wasn't scary, sad, ugly or mean. And she said it was nice. So I don't know what the deal was? Perhaps seeing it staring at her from the box scared her?
I think this will change when I have her and her friends over and they play with mine again. So It's ok.

I also made my sisters boyfriend a rat using the pattern from Planet June:
I asked what his favorite colors were and went to town. Whit loved it. :) he carried the thing around on his shoulder and such all night. (for the record he is over 19 years old.)

I also made 2 necklaces for my SIL's and forgot to take pictures of them but all in all I think it was a good christmas and everyone liked thier gifts (except sydney who doesn't count yet). I dind't feel rushed or hurried and I felt like I havd time to do everything needed.

resolutions update and this years resolutions

2008-12-29T08:41:00.000-08:00

This was my list from last year:
Crochet Goals:

~~Write more patterns~~
~~Finish pattern for my Honeysuckle Dragon~~
~~Put my patterns in my ETSY shop~~

Try crocheted cables
Finish unseamly sweater
Finish vest

Knitting Goals:

Learn to knit in the round
Try DPNs
Learn to cable
Make a hat!!!!
~~Try tiny needles~~

Knit with wire
Write one pattern

Looming goals:

~~Learn to increase/~~decrease
Make a sweater for me
Make Khindi a Sweater
Learn to Cable
~~write one pattern~~

Sewing Goals:

~~Make a poppet~~

Post a sewing Pattern in my ETSY shop
Make my Star Wars Purse
~~Make a bed for the 3 ferrets~~

Make new Ferret Hammocks
Learn to quilt

ETSY shop Goals:

~~Make a background image for my PDFs.~~
~~Put my Koi pattern in my etsy shop.~~
~~Put my lobster Pattern in my ETSY shop.~~
~~Put Honeysuckle Dragon pattern in ETSY shop.~~
~~Make some crocheted items to sell~~

So it would seem I accomplished almost all of my crochet goals and did accomplish all of my etsy goals. I didn't get very far in my knitting goals though. So here are my resolutions for this year:

Crochet Goals:

Try crocheted cables
Finish unseamly sweater (the vest is going to be ripped out. I don't like it anymore.)
Complete Cougar pattern and put it in Etsy shop

~~Add alpaca pattern to Etsy shop~~
complete horse pattern and put in Etsy shop
Convert one knit pattern to crochet

Knitting Goals:

Learn to knit in the round
Try DPNs

Looming goals:

Learn to decrease
Make Khindi a Sweater
Learn to Cable
write another pattern and teach it in my loom knitting group on yahoo

Sewing Goals:

Put one pattern in ETSY shop(purse or otherwise)
Make new Ferret Hammocks(with fleece remnants from Christmas)
purchase more fabric for John's Mario quilt
Make my Star Wars Purse
Make Khindi's Kennel Pillow
Make centaur poppet
make ferret poppet

ETSY Goals:

put more beaded items in shop
advertise more
give away more patterns to draw people in
Make more crocheted items for shop

I feel like it was nice to look back at some of the things I'd planned to try and decide if I really want to try them or not.

Personal Crafting and other goals:

make birthday gifts ahead of time
Start Christmas list in June
Start crafting for Christmas in July
do more custom orders (2 last year!)

update on the CPSIA post below

2008-12-23T09:29:00.000-08:00

today I sent an message to Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the house about the issue. here's her page so you can do the same:
http://speaker.house.gov/contact/
Info on the changes we'd like made:
http://www.happypandababy.com/blog/2008/12/21/cpsia-nam-cpsc-coalition/

2008-12-22T10:51:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to post the letter I e-mailed to fox news and martha stewart. :)

Subject:Changes needed to the Consumer Product Improvement Act (CPSIA) to Save Handmade Toys in the USA

From: Bethany hall of FLix bits etsy shop (www.eliea.etsy.com)

Like many people, I was deeply concerned by the dangerous and poisonous toys that large Chinese toy manufacturers have been selling to our nations families. And, I was very pleased that Congress acted quickly to protect America's children by enacting the CPSIA.

However, I am very concerned that the CPSIA's mandates for third party testing and labeling will have a dramatic and negative effect on small toy makers and in the USA, Canada, and Europe, whose toy safety record
has always been exemplary. It will also devastate small manufacturers of children's clothes and other handmade goods for children.

Because of the fees charged by Third Party testing companies, many toy makers, especially makers of unique and beautiful wooden toys and unique children's clothes from Maine to Oregon will be driven out of business.
Their cottage workshops simply do not make enough money to afford the $4,000 price tag per toy that Third Party testers are charging.

These toy makers and crafters have earned and kept the publics trust. They provide jobs for hundreds and quality playthings for thousands.
Their unique businesses should be protected. Please visit www.handmadetoyalliance.org to learn more about this issue.

As one of these crafters of toys I work very hard to make sure my items
are made of recycled, natural or child safe materials. Most of my toys are hand crocheted with acrylic yarn made from recycled plastic bottles, or wool or cotton yarn. I currently use poly-fil stuffing and plastic
Safety eyes. A Child's safety is my goal. I have a baby brother and sister who are both under 4. I even make some toys that have embroidered parts just to be baby safe.

I am not asking that this law be removed or even suggesting it was a horrible idea. I just feel that it was executed poorly and will cause problems to not only my income but our all ready declining economy.

I personally have all ready signed petitions written my representative and plan to write my senator as well as mail a toy I've personally made that will be deemed "hazardous materials" after February 2009 to Rep.
Bobby Rush (chair of the committee on Energy and Commerce).
For more information on this please check out the following links:
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5949146&page=1

I felt this is a problem that needs to gain more awareness and hope you will pay it the attention it deserves.
Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
Bethany

Also checking out this link:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5963341&page=1

My First "Craft" Fair

2008-12-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

So last night I participated in my first"craft" fair. You may be wondering why it's in quotes well that's becasue besides our table only 2 others had homemade goods.
I split the table cost 3 ways with my mother and a family friend so our total cost was 5.00 each. I used all items from my stash that I'd been planning to make for my etsy store so I figured if I didn't sell things I could list them there.
We didn't make a thing. We did make back our table cost and to be honest I'm not really thinking that was horrible. Many of the tables didn't even make that back. We were creative and had several lower priced items in the 2-5 dollar range and I think that's why we made our money back.
The other problem was that it was a PTA event at the family Friends school. So We had very limited advertising. A flier was sent home with each student and the parents coming for the christmas play were who we were "selling" to. It was for the elementry school which was another problem. I felt like our items would have been better suited to a real craft fair or a middle or high school event.
We made cute little gift bags, and buisness cards and we gave a lot of cards away mentioning they could could contact Our friend for custom orders. We got several who said they would do so. So hopefully that will happen.
I sold a pink ami horse and I was rather surprised with the resonce to the Ami animals. I have 10 total 6 horses and 5 alpacas. And Every person who came buy had to pick one up and look at it. Every child reached for the pink horse. So Pink horses must be a fun thing! when the pink horse sold the white one was next to be reached for.
I felt like we learned a lot and would do much better if we had a smaller table and were participateing in a "real" fair instead. So we were a suscess I think!
I'll be posting pictures of our bags and my ami's later. :)
I jsut had to share the experience with you all!

Tagged

2008-12-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by Tricia at http://darncatcrochet.blogspot.com/

I thought if Tricia wanted to know more about me perhaps others might as well so I'm posting this here and on amilist: http://www.amilist.blogspot.com

Here are the “official” rules:
1. Players must list one fact, word, or tidbit that is somehow relevant to their life for each letter of your first or middle name.

2. When you are tagged you need to write your own post containing your first or middle name game facts, word, or tidbit.

3. At the end of your post choose one person for each letter of your name to tag.

4. Don’t forget to leave a comment telling them ,they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

5. If I have tagged YOU, please join in on the fun! (Rules supplied by Hannah at bittersweet)

Bethany

Better- something I want to constantly be. I am always trying to be a better person(due to my faith in Christ), learn a better stitch, or better technique. I try to pass on what I learn to others too. Sometimes I come off as bossy or pushy but I promise I'm only trying to help and won't be offended if someone does something different than me. :)

Eternity- I believe that I will spend my eternity with God when I die. I believe in Christ being the only way to heaven and that once you are saved you are always saved. Christians are not perfect but we should strive to live a life that is a light to others, and we should be kind, and helpful, as well as forgiving, and loving.

Judging is wrong and is for God not man. And we should spread the word in our daily lives as we walk with Christ.

Thrifty- I was raised with the motto, "if it's still there the next time we go you are meant to have it". So I am always looking to see if something is on clearance, or if I can get more for my money. I frequently shop at thrift stores for my clothing, as well as for sweaters to unravel, and I also rescue stuffed toys. I once found 9 yards of fabric at the 1.00 a lb thrift store and I paid so little for it it wasn't even funny. Discovered at walmart that it was labeled at 5.00 a yard. :) I've even found handspun yarn once!

Hubby- I hate this word but it worked. lol. My husband and I met the year i turned 19. We got married exactly 10 months after we met. We did a lot of praying about it and felt it was the right thing to do. We have been married 3 years now and I think we've been doing pretty well. We never argue and rarely disagree which shocks many people. I strongly believe it is becasue he's the Man God intended for me to marry, but also because of 3 things we have decided are important to our marriage.

communication- We do not go to bed angry. I mean this! It's meant for some long nights but it's been worth it.
lack of selfishness- When I get mad I try to pick aprat why. If the thought is "well I never would have" or "He always does" or anything that makes ME more important than WE then it's selfish and not aplicable.
true forgiveness- We do not bring up the past. It's not real forgiveness if you do. And it HURTs your relationship.

Animals- For as long as I can remember I have been a big animal lover. I have always had some sort of critters. the first were gerbils. Nasty little critters. I still remember they were escape artists and would get loose all the time. The doors in our house had a gap between the bottom and the floor so the little speed demons would run from room to room typically we'd catch them in my mothers closet hiding in her shoes. lol

Next it was guinea pigs. We wound up getting my first guinea pig as an adult. Her name was Angela, she was as smooth haired little sweetheart almost entirely white except she had a brown spot from her bum to her hips and a black spot over one eye. We had so many guinea pigs growing up I can't remember them all! But Angela Started it all.

After the guinea pigs I had turtles, lizards, frogs, and through most of my teen years a fat beagle named Ladybug. Then the Year I turned 16 everything changed.

That's when I met Tachi. I'd been saving for her for over a year. She was my first ferret. I have had a huge soft spot for ferrets ever since and it is my hope t one day own my own ferret shelter. People often think ferrets are rodents or something like a hamster. However they are as smart as a 3 year old child and very interactive. they have to be taught how to properly play with people(aka nip training) and they are not usually a pet that likes to be held.

I strongly believe in researching any pet you intend to own before you buy it due to how I came to own my 3rd and forth ferrets. My sister got them from a lady on freecycle. Saffire had Adrenal disease and ruby was deaf. Poor saffire's cancer had spread to the point he was almost entirely bald. Any ferret purchased from a pet store in the states typically comes from marshal farms, and they almost all will contract one of the 3 common ferret cancers and die before they get to 5 years of age. Tachi, saffire, and ruby all had this happen.

I currently own Toby (2nd ferret) As well as Terra and Siera who were a friends and she discovered she was allergic to them. Along with them our home contains 4 kitties, and a giant yellow dog. :)

Natural fibers- My main stash of yarn is acrylic for a few reasons, 1first I'm a cheapskate. I am also allergic to most wools, this includes but is not limited to: Alpaca, Lambswool, and Angora. I've found that there are some natural fibers I'm ok with like Merino, Bamboo, cotton, and BFL. :) But being cheep I rarely but them.I love the way bamboo looks and feels though and really want t oget some to spin with too.

Yarn- I seem to keep buying yarn when I find it on clearance or sale. I have discovered after sorting my stash recently that most of it is novelty yarns which I hate to use! How that happened I'm not sure but I must be drawn to it or something. I also own very little pink and green yarn. Almost all of mine is in the neutral and Blue family. Which I find amusing since my favroite color is GREEN! lol

people I would like to know more about.....
I'll have to think abut that!

Many things to show for my absence

2008-11-12T14:03:00.000-08:00

I've been really busy lately. First I made Johns Ren fest costume:

Not to mention finally finished Mr. Dangly for my baby brother:

And I finished a new Crochet Design! The pattern will be tested soon I hope! Meet Ami Alpaca:
He's rather cute and dapper isn't he? I love how he came out!

He wanted to be an alpaca and I was trying for a horse. Well one can't argue with the yarn! so An alpaca he became. Pattern isn't available yet! He was made for my first craft fair which will be in December. I"m trying to design a bunch of small simple stuffies for this and he's the first one!

Dog beds and bunnies

2008-09-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

Well that blasted dog bed is finally done. I took some pictures to show you guys.
Pre pillowcase this is what the denim looked like:
With cute yellow lab for size reference. I couldn't even fit the whole piece in the shot so here's the other side:
With hubby's size 14 shoes for size reffrence.
Yeah 1 denim needle 2 bad blood drawing finer pricks, 3 buttons, and some upholstery thread later:
Finished bed. This whole project was so labor intensive. I may still have to buy her a dog bed since I don't think this one is big enough. *sigh* by this time she'd been put in time out so here's the kitty modeling:
Then I made my baby brother a bunny using a tutorial from crqaftster. I didn't quite like the way I attached the head to the neck. It really needed a longer thinner neck but oh well it's cute and mom will like it:
At that point I just needed an easy, Finger prick free project. I was about to the point of cursing and That's not me at all. lol.

While the Cat's away...

2008-09-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hubby is out of town for the next 2 days yesterday was my first day all to myself since the first year we were married and hubby was doing fire training in another county.
I was able to get home at 4:00 which was after a trip to walmart to get some supplies for the week.
I then proceeded to plan out what crafty things I wanted to accomplish this week. Now originally Mr.Multicraft wasn't going to be home till 1:00 am Saturday leaving me with Friday as a day to myself as well. His flight has been moved up due to the hurricane in Florida and he will be home thursday instead. *does happy dance*

Anyways I decided the first thing on my crafting plate was that I needed to make our 63 lb yellow lab her pillow/bed that I'd been planning and even bought supplies for since my birthday in April.
I had bought a giant pillow, 1 pillow sham, lots of mini pillows, as well as bed sheets. The plan was to stuff the pillow sham and sew the opening up. then use the two pillows as the cushion inside the bed. But I had to be clever and cover them up or the adorable yellow lab will kill them. Many a stuffie has been lost within minutes of being out in the open at my house. I was not about to let her bed go the same direction. However said pillow also needed to be able to be disassembled to fit in the washer.
I set to work yesterday and after stitching up the pillow sham, and making 1 simple "pillowcase" I realized a bed sheet is not strong enough to thwart the mighty yellow lab with pillow murder on her mind. I pondered and then set upon my Denim stash.
Those of you who know me from craftster may know I purchased every leftover pair of jeans at our church yard-sale last year for 1.00. I came home with 54 pairs of pants and shorts in varying sizes. So armed with Lots of jeans I started cutting a pillowcase that would (hopefully) deter even the strongest most determined yellow lab.
I started cutting all the legs off the jeans, then cut each leg open. And stacked everything nice and neat in my "green" grocery bag and went to mom's for dinner. Then at mom's I borrowed her serger. I serged all the strips of denim together for extra security. And made this giant oddly shaped piece of denim fabric to make the cover for khindi's pillow. I hope I made it wide enough. Oh and in the process I broke two regular needles, and one denim.
I will take some pictures when I get home from work, but wanted to post my progress so far so the finished picture post won't be too long. lol.
I will be making her pillowcase once I get home. the hope is that she will like it so much that with some training she will stop getting on the furniture and use her totally awesome pillow/bed instead. Becasue who likes to sit on a sofa only to get their favroite dark pants covered in light yellow fuzz?

I think I have Adult ADHD

2008-08-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling really out of it for the last 5 months or so. I've been misplacing things, forgetting things, and just generally unproductive. I took a random quiz on facebook just for the fun of it thinking it would be one of those that would say the same thing to everyone. It said I have ADHD and should consult my doctor. First let me say I was like what? So I looked at my friends results. None of them had gotten the same outcome as me.
I figured it was a joke and pushed it to the back of my mind and wondered about it all day yesterday. Then John and I were talking and He was mentioning some of my quirks that he's found to be cute over the last (nearly) 3 years of marriage. Anyone who knows us knows John's pet peeve is that I leave the cabinet doors open. He mentioned this and then said. "But I think I know why you do it."
"Why's that?"
"you don't complete your thoughts."
Huh! I was like you know what you are right! He mentioned that I do this with a lot of things. I started thinking about it. When I get a bowl of cereal out leave the box on the counter. Now please note, I remember to roll the bag down and close the box. But I always leave the box out. When I get milk out He always puts it up behind me. I am constantly loosing things. Dianna knows I was telling her this the other day. I've felt like I've been doing that a LOT more than I used to.
Anyways he said: "Sweetie I've been wondering if you have ADD."
I told him about the quiz and he said "Now that would make sense."
The more I started thinking about it the further back in my life I could think of things that I have done that I could never figure out why. And suddenly it all made sense!
I have been doing a bunch of research today and Even talked to my co-worker (who is a mental health professional) and she suggested some of my symptoms may be anxiety. Did some more research. Yeah anxiety and ADHD go hand in hand a LOT of the time. The ADHD can trigger the Anxiety or the other way around.
I made a list based on the symptoms listed on multiple websites for both. I mainly fit ADHD. About 90% I do have a few of the Anxiety type symptoms but I feel it's more a sign of the ADHD.
I started doing some research today. I took 2 more tests online. (from Web md and such) and both said the same thing.

I just have to say John is so awesome for putting up with me like that! I can only imagine what I must look like to most of you who know me well and I thank God for putting you all in my life and tolerating and even loving me! *hugs*

My next step is to talk to my MIL. She's also a mental health professional and I'm hoping she can provide some insight. She's always been wonderful to me and I feel like she is one of the best therapists I know (though I am biased). I am hoping she can tell me which psychiatrist I need to see etc. Then I will have to go see my regualr doctor and get a referral I think, and I have to hope she's not one of those that feels like Adult ADHD or ADD is a fake thing and will really listen to me.
I've had such a hard time at work lately just getting out of bed has been a real struggle. I feel like my friendships are suffering and it's just driving me crazy. Though John has assured me that if I do have one of these "Disorders" that I am perfectly sane just my thinking process is off.
It can totally be treated with meds but meds really scare me. I will have to really talk with my doctor and find out what meds are right for me. Hopefully I can learn some tricks to teach myself to focus more and be more attentive.

Anyways I'm saying all this becasue I really need prayer and support. The first thing I need prayer for is that we will find a way to get our insurance to cover getting me tested as well as any medications that I might need to take.
Second is that My Doctor can help me find the right meds with little to (hopefully) no side effects. And third is that I can get this figured out soon.

I feel like I've been in this dark cave and I've finally found the tunnel. I can see the light at the other end and it's in reach! So please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as we try to get this sorted out! I will keep you all posted!

Teal Poppet For my Sister's 19th...

2008-08-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

Personally I have a few things I hate about this poppet. But I have a few things I love too. I finally got the jointing position right. I finally stuffed the body enough that her shoulders aren't squished, I finally Made a poppet "infinity dress."
Things I don't like are:
The wig is awful. I didn't have my pattern from Azul with me so I winged it. It fits horrible and keeps wanting to slide back on her head giving her this nasty high forehead.
The eyelids aren't perfect. I know this is small but after 8 poppets you start to set a standard and for some reason one eyelid is just a tad shorter on one side.
The joints are a bit loose but not to bad.
Oh and last but not least. I officially hate this style dress. Even after messing the first one up so bad I had to take it apart and throw away the bottom half I still managed to muck up the waist. *sigh* I really hate this dress and will never make one again unless I am paid to do it.

Anyways. This poppet was what my sister who turned 19 last Thursday requested so I made it for her. She loves her and that's what's important right? Amie picked all the colors out so Her choices not mine. I just made sure the purple hair didn't clash too badly with the green skin.
Her hair is Simply Soft Heather in a purple shade.

Remember you can click on a picture to view it the proper size. Blogger squishes them. :)

Please ignore the mess behind her on my craft table as I took the pictures last minute before leaving for sis's party. Also please note her color is more close to the lovely side profile picture. The full view pics are a bit washed out. But it was 8:30 at night so that's what I get. I hope you like her!

If you want to make a poppet of your own check out the poppet-along:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=205341.0
We're a crazy but friendly bunch.

I got a haircut!

2008-08-04T11:14:00.001-07:00

Lookie:
I look so cute. The front is where you can tell the most. All my hair was a little longer than shoulder length. Now as you can see the front 3/4 is like a angled bob. the back is long though and I can pull it up in a pony tail, clip it up, Leave it down, Put the front in a barrette etc. I can still curl it or braid it. Or whatever!
Now I can pull my little clippies out and use them again!

Azul the FOC Pretty Poppet

2008-07-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Azul was made for the Friends of Craftster Raffle Swap Round 2. The theme is blue and so I wanted to join as it sounded fun. No pressure just make something blue and sign up!
I made her hair using the crocheted "wig" cap method and I wrote down the pattern. I will be posting it later this week (hopefully today or tomorrow.) Though it is totally not my original idea. I used the idea from crafty.canadian, and tattfae.
All these pictures have probably been shrunk by blogger. Please remember to click them to see full view!
She would not have been possible though without Ghilie's super awesome poppet pattern! Join the poppet along here.
Oh and I have to mention that she's wearing an easy peasy poppet dress whose pattern is by Ghilie as well. My first one. Though technically the third try as my machine decided to eat my fabric. Yeah it just needed me to thread it properly. lol

Cougar

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

My newest Design was made for a personal swap with kirstilynne on craftster. He's a cougar!

I used a yarn color that is discontinued now. :( Which makes me sad because I just found out that it's the kind you can brush out to be fuzzy. And It's one of the colors I commonly use/need.

It was really hard to send him off to canada but he's quite happy with his new home I'm sure! :)

To-do list updated and some finished projects

2008-07-23T06:59:00.000-07:00

Updating my to-do list as follows:

To do:
1.) Camo wrap pants for me
2.) Bloomers for regular wear for me
3.) Sierra the ferret poppet for me

Completed:
1.)Dino Wrap pants for me
2.) take some more pictures of Khindi
3.) Take picture of me for facebook profile
4.) Blue Poppet for Friends of Craftster Raffle Swap
5.) Post new profile pic on facebook

I also need to do the following no craft related things:
1.) post pictures of Kes (our 4th and new kitty) to my facebook and blogger
2.) Post pictures of my craft room on blogger

And some pics of my wrap pants:
Made using the tutorial that LauPre posted on craftster and her detailed tutorial at her blog.
I have a few things I still need to do to them but they are wearable! I want to add some buttons at the hem where the sides overlap. I found it the front is just tied that it tends to sag and then the bottom ends don't hang even. I also want to hem the bottom up a bit more. Probably by 2-3 inches. And I want to add a button closure at the knee on both sides too, just to prevent the side from flapping open when I sit down or the wind blows. I think a snap or something like that would work great too but I find buttons much easier since I have a buttonhole attachment for my singer, and my brother does buttonholes with a button push. lol. It supposedly will sew buttons on too but I haven't tried that yet. Personally I prefer to hand sew my buttons since they seem more secure that way.

I was also a horrible person and went and bought some fabric at walmart to make 2 more pairs. Both are shades of pale blue and one is shiny! I'm so excited. I even bought the ribbon for the ties!

After 9 months...

2008-07-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

I have a baby Brother!
He wieghs 8lbs 10 oz. and was born at 8:30 am. He rounds out the prahl bunch making the even 6th child. (of which I am the oldest.) We range in age from 22, 20, 18, 16, 2, and 1 day. :) Now I just need to make him his present....

Skye and Many new poppet outfits

2008-07-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

I want to start out with Skye who was created for me by Violette28 in the "I love my poppet swap round 2". We decided to go with little sisters as a theme and I asked if she would be able to make a ferret. violette28 wasn't sure but said she'd try. I also asked for mostly solid colored hair but with just a bit of unusual color in it. Beyond that I left it totally up to her.

Remember you can click on the pictures to view full sized!

So She looked at some of my fur babies pics for reference and came up with Skye:
First picture is of Skye naked so you can see the lovely pattern on her skin. She also has glittery places but they didn't photograph too well. :(
Here she is in the outfit she was wearing when she arrived at my door:
Skye is wearing a blue jersey cotton Infinity Dress! Of course the other poppets thought it would be fun to try on the many other clothing Skye brought and Sky wanted to try on their clothes so:

Skye is wearing an easy peasy dress that Clonedbravo made and sent with Akanke. Next to her you see Corizan wearing a pretty blue/green batik dress that violette28 sent with Skye. I love the fabric it is so pretty on Corizan! And then next to her is Gloria wearing a Purple Jersey Infinity dress that was also made but violette28. Gloria was very happy to have some clothing the poor girl has been naked since birth and was getting cold! And doesn't the color look great on her?
All the Girls together in their new clothing. (Moonflower decided she liked Skye's original dress):

But that's not all. I told you when Akanke came to live with me that We were working on a new outfit for her. So here's her fashion show. The outfit was totally made by my crafty BFF Lydia, (aka froggifunki on craftster) though it was partially designed by both of us with input from John (the hubby).
Here's Akanke's new outfit:
She is wearing a lovely fur wrap with silver fastening, a green cotton Choli style top, and lovely peacock print skirt. Her leg warmers are also blue fur and she has on black easy sandals. (tut coming soon for these.)

Some closeups:

Top with wrap.
Bottom with leg warmers.
Top without wrap so you can see her Choli shirt.

zoomed out of back:

And legs without leg warmers.

I think Lydia did a great job making Akanke more like a regal Beast lady don't you?

I think she needs a sword and sword belt but have not figured out how to incorporate it into this outfit. Perhaps the next one huh?
That's it for now. One more thing to add to my completed list in the last post. :)

Updates updates updated 7/17/08

2008-07-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd post a list of what I'm working on. Lists make me feel more productive and then when I get home I can post some pictures.

1.)Dino Wrap pants for me
2.) Camo wrap pants for me
3.) Bloomers for regualr wear for me
4.) Sierra the ferret poppet for me

finished projects:
1.) John's firefighter tie
2.) John's firefighter pillowcase
3.) Cow shirt for John
4.) Post pictures of my new poppet Skye to blogger (received from violette28 in the "I love my Poppet swap round 2")
5.) Crocheted cougar stuffie for kirstilynne on craftster (en route to Canada!)
6.) "C" shaped pillow for mom

I also need to do the following no craft related things:
1.) post pictures of Kes (our 4th and new kitty) to my facebook and blogger
2.) Post pictures of my craft room on blogger
3.) take some more pictures of Khindi
4.) Take a new profile pic for facebook

So hopefully my computer will co-operate with me today and I can do all this without anything timing out or not working!

Meet Namid

2008-07-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

This is the poppet I made for my partner in the "I love my poppet swap round2". Her name is Namid which means "star dancer" in Chippewa Indian. Her favorite food is marshmallows and she love to dance on the beach. She loves violin music.
I made a few things to go with her. She's wearing to puppy dog shrink plastic necklaces one for each of her new sisters. As well as some flower hair clips I made for her siblings.
She also has on a pair of crocheted mary-janes with fun foam soles.
Her shirt is from one of craftewoman's patterns but her skirt is my own. :) Love my rotary cutting pad even more now since the pattern was actually printed on it for quilting. :)
I also made these cute little tops:
http://www.craftster.org/pictures/showphoto.php?photo=147149
http://www.craftster.org/pictures/showphoto.php?photo=147148
The second one is mostly sewn by me but the bias tape around the neck and arm holes was carefully sewn on by my wonderful BFF. :)

I also made the patchwork skirts for her and her sisters:
The brown one was made second and I wish I'd had time to make a petticoat to go underneath. But I was rushing to finish as it was. I also included some crocheted shoes for a larger poppet, and some hairclips for the other poppets as well. :)
I hope you like her Violette28!

Many poppets!

2008-07-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

I recently did a swap with clonebravo on craftster. She needed some plain poppet fabric to make some poppets for her cousin and 2 best friends.
I was happy to send her the fabric as I had plenty stashed and have gotten nearly all of it in swaps. to me it's sort of swap karma. I don't believe in karma but I do believe in being kind to others who have been kind to you or might be. :) I also just like to help people out and share my supplies.
So I sent her the fabric not expecting anything in return.
To my shocked surprise this is what I received:

Click on the images to see full sized!

I was so thrilled I nearly cried. I have not received a poppet from anyone else before and I know the hard work and love that goes into each one. It's hard to give them away.
Her name is Akanke. (uh-KAHN-kay) She is a Beast woman and lives in the forest.
My crafty BFF has been staying with us the last week while taking a class in my home town and she was as enamored with her as I was!
Look at those tiny toes! We've been hard at work crafting her a more beastly outfit. And finished yesterday. So I will be posting pics of those soon.

My New Baby

2008-07-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

I randomly decided to visit my local salvation army thrift store yesterday. I was looking for more hanging shelves for in the craft room. While wandering around I picked up a sheet for the dog to sleep on (nice flannel) and a small pot to make tea in.
I started wandering in the appliances and saw this:
I had to buy it. It was marked 15.00! How could I not buy it! From my research it's a singer 201-2 machine one of the best singers ever made. Though I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. Why you may ask? Well I checked the machine out and it didn't seem to bind up and was moving the wheel fine. But I totally forgot to check and see if it had the power cable with it!
So I am making a trip to my local sewing and vacuum center after work to see if they have one.
the guy who repairs machines there collects vintage machines so I've all ready called and he believes he has one we just have to go get it after work! I found the manual online here:
http://www.ismacs.net/singer/manuals/201.pdf
I also wanted to post some links in case others are having issues with their vintage singers:
http://www.needlebar.org/cm/index.php?cat=59
Threading Diagram
what is it worth?
This blog has some great detail shots:
http://www.using-sewing-machines.com/Singer201.html
Google search for singer 201

New poppets! and some swap items...

2008-06-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

My cousins had their joint birthday party a few weeks ago so I had to make them mini poppets.
I shrunk the pattern down to 50% on a copier at work and made each one a poppet catered to their own tastes.
First is the basic poppet:
I don't like her mouth at all but I knew a 5 year old would ask where it was if it wasn't there! lol. So she got a painted one as the iron on's looked to old. I love how her tail sticks out jsut over top of the jeans. Too cute!
Her tail is poseable. She has custom painted eyes. And hand glued eyelashes (6 sections per eyelid) Those little things took forever to place!
All the seams on her clothing are zig zagged and some are top stitched as well. Going for durability here!
She came with an extra pair of pants, a pair of blue sneaks (purchased) and a mini book.(free at dollar general)
All clothing is made with craftewoman's patterns sized down by me.

Next is Centaur Poppet:
This little lady was made from a mix of ghilie's standard poppet pattern and my own horsey pattern. I will be making a full sized one for myself to work a few kinks out before releasing it for everyone to use.
The horsey half is made with a super soft micro suede giving it a nice horsey feel, the body with alova suede. The bottoms of the hooves are felt for durability.
Her legs all move at the hip/chest joint as well as her arms at the shoulder. Her face would be nicer but I messed up the iron on mouth and had to cover it up with fabric paint. The next one will have a pretty face. Custom painted eyes again!
The pleather shirt is my own pattern.

And last of the poppet's is my favorite which surprised me with how much work I put into the centaur. I'm calling her Rose fairy Poppet:
Please note I forgot to take her sleeve off for this picture. It does not go with this outfit:
Her wings are stolen from one of those giant foam and nylon dragonflies the dollar store had. They come off with Velcro and have a Velcro flap that goes over top for extra security.
She has eyelashes made from add in eyelash clusters. 6 clusters per eye. Her mouth and nose are an iron on transfer and her eyes are custom panted with green glitter nail polish. I removed the paint from the back of a pair of yellow eyes from hobby lobby. (hurray for dremil tools! Thanks dad!)
He has a string of flowers and beads in her hair along with ribbons which are all attached to a standard hair elastic. Her tutu is also made on a hair elastic.

So those 3 poppets were all made within a span of 2 weeks. I got them done exactly 1 day before the party!

Then I"ve been busy with 2 other swaps. First was the One Tiny Thing Shrinky Dinks swap.
The whole point as that the main focal peice of shrink plastic had to be smaller than 4x4 inches. My partner liked fairies and so I took that and sort of ran with it. She had a beautiful necklace on her wish list (aka wist) made my acidtrix on craftster. (you can see that here)
So I used that as my inspiration and made this:

Closeup of fairy artwork:
The artwork is my own.
But that's not the only swap I've been a part of. I also recently participated in the Mushroom lovers swap. And sent ritapiza my partner a similar necklace with a more mushroomy theme:

Remember to click the images to view in full size!

Corizan Inspired by Craftster

2008-03-26T07:03:00.000-07:00

I jsut realized I hadn't psoted Corizan for you all to see. Corizan was created for the poppet fashion show contest at craftster. We aren't winning but I'm ok with that. :)
However I am really proud of her so I wanted to share:

Corizan's Eyes Are 15mm owl eyes mom picked up for me at Wilsons. I haven't seen any since! The eyelashes are thanks to malibukasey at craftster.
Her outfit is inspired by the following craftser users:
Dress of Many Scraps by mixymo
Beaded Spiders Tutorial by CraftyCarrie
Necktie Corset Belt Tutorial by rickrackruby
Sakura Flower Pattern by Yelley

Corizan's skirt is made totally from scraps I had saved since the I love my Poppet Swap! I used a very simillar method to make mine sewing the scraps onto strips of ribbon that was an inch wide, then sewing the strips together.
Her shirt is craftewomans shirt pattern as I wanted the top to be simple but still go with the outfit.
Her belt is made from real ties I've had saved for crafty purposes. I followed that tutorial exactly.
Her necklace is made with some unlabeled wire and glass beads I've had in my stash.
Her hair clips are "quilt hem clips" with adorable sakura flowers sewn on.

for more info on poppets and how to make one of your own visit the poppetalong:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=205341.0

Dragon pattern in shop!

2008-03-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

the pattern for my adorable dragon is in my shop now! there are detailed pictures included on how to assemble the tongue and wings.
To purchase click on the picture in the sidebar or click here:
http://eliea.etsy.com
I have also put all my patterns on sale for 3.00! I plan to do this any time I add a pattern.

However The next one will take me a bit of time. As I have to test it and then get more testers etc. Since it's a scarf and it's starting to warm up it could be several months. so buy them while you can!

Honeysuckle Dragon

2008-03-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

I actually finished this guy last year in the summer but I never posted him here! I'm so shocked as he is my pride and joy and probably my best work. He took over 6-months to complete becasue I was making him up in my free time. Family apparently need birthday presents more than he needed fixed, so I'd make one part and he'd get set asside.... then make some more, etc....
Huge inspiration came from this book/picture by Graeme Base's dragon: http://membres.lycos.fr/skanlon/pictures/Graeme_BASE/BASEButterflyDragon.jpg
This little guy is based off a piece of artwork I painted on a girlfriends guitar case about 4 years ago.
However I did take some artistic license with mine.
I love the sequins I think that's my favorite part. this little guy drink nectar from flowers similar to how butterflies do. That's why he has a pink curly tounge. He also has a prehensile tail.
Enjoy!

I'm working out the details so that I can have this pattern up in my shop by the end of next week. :) So keep your eyes open!

Gloria The patterned Poppet (my second one)

2008-03-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

This is my second poppet from Ghilie's pretty poppet pattern. I'm really happy with how she came out. This is Gloria, and she has a lazy eye. (but she's not high I promise)

She was made with a cotton, poly blend fabric from the dollar rack at walmart. And is highly inspired from the wonderful Twin Cubs cute antique rabbits:
http://www.twincubs.com/puffpalpeonyfull.jpg
You can see Twin Cubs custom teddys and rabbits at her blog:
http://www.twincubs.com/
For more info on poppets please read the thread on craftster:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=205341.0
All the info you need on how to get the pattern (which is free) and what you need to make them is in that thread.
Craftster is free to join and has been one of the best resources I have found.

Poppet Stuff!

2008-02-25T15:40:00.000-08:00

I made my poppet Moonflower about 3 weeks ago and haven't posted any pics of her! So I signed up for the poppet swap shortly after finishing her and my partner sent me the cutest stuff for her!
I also sent a package to my partner and her son's poppet. I figured I'd post everything here!

Here's a picture of the loot:
Which includes:
2 pairs of pants
1 skirt
1 peasant shirt
1 dress
1 shrug
2 necklaces
1 pair of earings
2 pair of 18 inch doll shoes
one totally cute bag which all the clothing is going to be stored in
and one growing towel
one candy bar
and a bundle of Cream alova suede! for me.

In one outfit, The red flarelegs, white eylet lace peasant shirt, and one of the cute necklaces.
Moonflower wearing Her mary janes, Green Shrug, And blue dress.
Same shirt as above but with totally adorable green skirt made from t-shirt material with lettuce edges! Too cute. I can't wait to make her some flip-flops to go with this outfit. :)
These are some more pics:
I'll be posting what I made for my partner later!

Felt Raccoon

2008-02-04T20:44:00.000-08:00

Well due to time constraints, and my first draft looking more like a deformed cat than a raccoon. I had to resort to plan B.
Meet the tiny felt Raccoon.

The thread is not really blue it's black. But the camera made it look blue for some reason. I tried to fix it but it was really bad. lol. So you will see it like it's blue.
the idea came from viewing Blossom's shop on etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=78256
Her stuff is so cute. You should totally check it out!

Plotting and Planning

2008-02-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

I am plotting on how to manage to finish my poppet swap stuff and crochet a stuffie for a friends birthday. I think I have it all planned and if it works out I'll be posting another free pattern soon. By the end of the month I also hope to have another pattern in my shop. My Honeysuckle Dragon!
So be looking for that! It might start me on a quest to try to crochet more of my drawings. I just cant decide. I love dragons and I'm convinced they existed at some time. I have drawn many types and species over the years so I'm really excited to start that venture. :)
Feel free to offer some ideas for new patterns I could work on.

Pattern for Lilly Pad Pincusion

2008-01-29T13:09:00.000-08:00

To see this full size click the picture.
Ok you need two of the pin cushion piece and 5 each of the petals.
I used my machine and sewed the pin cushion the same way we've done the round ones. Leaving a small space to turn. I don't think it's good to use the space between the bumps to turn as it's rounded and harder to stitch up. So use any where else on the piece.
For the petals I slightly overlapped and pinned all the large pieces to each other and used a straight stitch on my machine to sew them to each other.
Then I made two long straight rows of stitches along the bottom a 1/8 of an inch or so apart.
I used these to gather the petals and make that nice cup like shape.
Then I stitched the last two petals that were not attached to each other to form a little petal tube type thing.
I did the same thing with the smaller petals. Then layered them inside each other using a button in the middle.
I did the same thing that whip-up does with her pin cushion for the veins on the large part. But Instead of in the center I was about an inch or so from the little dip in the piece. Then I fastened my thread off and instead of cutting just stitched it to the bottom of my flower.
Wha-La! Pin cushion!
If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Weaving in Ends/Crocheting Over Ends

2008-01-26T10:31:00.001-08:00

After all the frustration I keep seeing with ends and having them come out I've been working on this tutorial for awhile. I am posting it both on Craftster and my blog jsut to make sure it doesn't disappear. :)
Sorry it took so long the project I meant to use as the entire example was not working out and had to be frogged. So anyways here it is finally!

How to Crochet over Ends:
1.) First lay the two ends next to each other on top of your work. I crochet right handed so simply reverse the direction if you are left handed.

2.) Pick up the new yarn with your hook as if you were going to make your next stitch normally.

3.) Here you can see the working yarn in between my fingers at the top of the picture and the old ends on the bottom:

4.) Insert your hook into the top of the next stitch your ends should be on top of the previous row of stitches. (I'm doing a double crochet)

5.) Here's the same step from another angle:

I'm holding the working yarn in my first and second fingers and the ends with my thumb against my palm.

6.) Complete your stitch as if the ends are the top of the stitch you crocheted into instead of seperate. (i'm not sure if this makes sense or not.)

7.) Repeat steps 4-6 for a few stitches I typically do about 3 or 4. Next ignore the tails and crochet normally. You may have to move them out of the way.
Front of row:

Back of row:

Give your ends a light tug to pull them tight. Then clip close to stitch.

If you don't feel this is enough security (like myself) then proceed to next tutorial...
Weaving in Ends:
1.) Supplies:

Large eye needle,
Ends to weave in,
And scissors

2.) Thread end through needle:

3.) Insert the needle under the "v's" (stitches). I usually go under about 3-5 stitches. (I'm working from left to right.)

4.) You will see the end coming out of one stitch to the right of the needle. you are now going to weave back the opposite direction. Examine your stitches for a minute. Your stitches form little "V's". Think of each side of the V as a leg of the stitch. Now skip the first leg of the next stitch, on the left side. You should see that this is the stitch right next to your end. Insert your hook under the next leg.

5.) Weave under the next 3-4 stitches in the opposite direction.

6.) Repeat steps 4- 5 once more:

Clip ends close to stitches:

Stretch the crocheted piece just a bit.
back:

Front:

A loomed turtle

2008-01-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

This adorable turtle was made on the knifty Knitter Flower loom for loomclass. The pattern is by jenny stark at http://guppylovesshark.wordpress.com/.
The little guys worked up so quickly! I am so thrilled to have completed something so charming on my looms!
I used small blue seed beads for the eyes and stitched them on with thread. I really love this little turtle and have learned a lot with it. I can't wait to make more! I can see them with little bells in their shells to entertain cats, babies and ferrets. :)

SO proud!

2008-01-13T20:26:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my first ever project on the looms. I bought them with a gift card for christmas last year and haven't done much with them till this summer. I started a pair of socks and never finished the second. I made a ton of hats for christmas gifts but I've finally finished the second sock today! I no longer suffer from second sock syndrome!

Now I can finally start the turtle for loom class! I'm so thrilled! I used a k1, p1 ribbing for the cuff and did a fp bp dc border along the top just to help hold them up. Please ignore the froggie pajama pants. It is almost bedtime after all. :)

Resolutions for the new Year

2008-01-04T08:48:00.000-08:00

So Most of my resolutions involve learning something new in a particular craft. I thought I'd post them here so I can cross them off my list as I accomplish them. I like making lists and crossing things off becasue it gives me more motivation to do it!

Crochet Goals:

Write more patterns
Finish pattern for my Honeysuckle Dragon
Put my patterns in my ETSY shop
Try crocheted cables
Finish unseamly sweater
Finish vest

Knitting Goals:

Learn to knit in the round
Try DPNs
Learn to cable
Make a hat!!!!
Try tiny needles
Knit with wire
Write one pattern

Looming goals:

Learn to increase/decrease
Make a sweater for me
Make Khindi a Sweater
Learn to Cable
write one pattern

Sewing Goals:

Make a poppet
Post a sewing Pattern in my ETSY shop
Make my Star Wars Purse
Make a bed for the 3 ferrets
Make new Ferret Hammocks
Learn to quilt

ETSY shop Goals:

Make a background image for my PDFs.
Put my Koi pattern in my etsy shop.
Put my lobster Pattern in my ETSY shop.
Put Honeysuckle Dragon pattern in ETSY shop.
Make some crocheted items to sell

These are my current crafting goals. I will be updating as I finish them! Wish me luck! And happy new year!

Loom Knitting Blogs, Tips, Patterns and Tricks

2008-01-01T14:01:00.001-08:00

Ok this is where I plan to post all the loom knitting pattern links, Tips, Tutorials etc that I find online. I will currently only be saving Knifty knitter stuff but there may be an occasional link to other loom type projects if I feel it could be helpful. :)

Tutorials:
Long Tail Cast On
Mock Crochet Stitch
Converting Needle knits to loom knits
Seeming Techniques
Knitting flat panels
Single Crochet Bind off
Stitch patterns

Blogs:
Pieceful Creations
Knitting Without Needles
loom Lady
Off the Loom

Free Pattern Links:
Mock Crochet Hat
Yellow KK Prayer Shawl
KK Armwarmers
Toe UP sock on the Knifty knitter
Simple Sweater on the KK
Towel Topper
Poinsettia (Pink KK long Loom)

Exciting!

2007-12-19T07:29:00.000-08:00

So I am sending in my first pattern submission in hopes of being accepted into a crocheted Gifts book! I'm really excited and really nervous. However I am confident in my abilities and if the book doesn't accept me I plan to sell the pattern myself.
You know what though? I always wanted to be published. I never thought it could possibly be like this though. I used to (and still occasionally do) write fan fictions, or stories about my own characters. I dreamed of writing children's books (and plan to one day write and illistrate my own children's book.) and having them published. I want to publish my own book of crocheted toy patterns one day. But I hadn't ever thought of really submitting to a crochet pattern book. lol.
So Anyways I won't hear back till January but I"m really excited and ask for your prayers and Gods will in this matter. And for acceptance no matter what the outcome. This could very well be the first step. Even if I'm rejected that's a step and I"ll be happy for it. (don't get me wrong I'll be disapointed too.)
Hope everyone has a great holiday!

Too cute!

2007-12-18T10:18:00.000-08:00

I think I"ve offically found some adorable projects to work on for present tags. If only I had one more week till christmas....
anyways I'm posting some links here so I'll have the directions:
http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/?p=913
http://melissagoodsell.typepad.com/day_to_day/2007/11/day-2---christm.html
http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2006/12/lacy-snowflake-tutorial.html
http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2007/12/paper-3-d-holiday-ornament-tutorials.html
http://wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com/2007/05/power-tools-vs-elbow-grease.html
http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com/2007/12/chica-christmas-13-mini-light-tree.html
http://www.threadbanger.com/hollyjolly/episode/HJH_20071212
http://machenmachen.wordpress.com/2007/08/31/free-pattern-for-the-wasp-bag/
http://ysolda.com/wordpress/2007/11/25/garter-stitch-mitts/
http://bleuarts.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-table-top-christmas-tree.html
http://expressioncenter.wetpaint.com/page/Holiday+Photo+Ornaments?t=anon
http://www.poopscape.com/projects/mushroom/mushroom.htm

More Pics aka Yarny goodness

2007-11-27T07:50:00.000-08:00

I just had to share how awesome my hubby is before I post some pics. I know I'm mean. ;)
I came home yesterday to find the picture that I'd received from my MIL for my birthday last year framed and hung over the bed exactly where I wanted it! We'd bought the new frame and been meaning to take it and get it set and everything since it's only 5.00but hobby lobby is a kryptonite zone for john and I try to keep my trips there limited and short.
He'd gone while I was at work and had it fixed then came home and hung it for me! And he took out the trash including the trash in our bathroom! On top of that he washed 95% of the dirty clothing so I can go through my summer stuff and finally put most of it in the attic and hang all my winter clothing at once! Horray! Ok now here's my yarn:
This is 90 yards of bulky recycled sweater yarn. the sweater was hideous with loop stitches down the front on either side of a huge cable. and it had loop stitches on the edge of the sleeves!
I believe it's 50-75% wool and the rest is acrylic so I didn't expect the color to take so well but it did! And faster than my next 100 % wool yarn too!
100% Corridale Locks brushed and spun then scoured and dyed with kool-aide. I used cherry I think it's actually darker than this but When I tried to adjsut the lighting this is all the better I could do. lol.
Beautiful blue 100% corridale wool. Same process as above. This time I used two packets of kool-aide and one of wylers in berry blue or something like that. It's a tad darker than pictured but soft and squishy.
Picture with much truer colors. Both yarns together are 250 yards. One was a slightly smaller skien but when they were all added up 250 yards! Horray!
And here's a picture of the whole package:
I've also made a present for my MIL's Birthday and had to share:
How cute is his little tail? I used the wee wonderful pattern and added my own wings and tail and embroidered on his belly.

Yarn Pics and a testimonial

2007-11-26T10:11:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics of my work taken by my lovely partner laminathegreat. I will post some pics that I took closer up later today. If I remember to get my computer out of the car. Which may be hard since My toaster rode around in there for a month! lol
Here's the yarn! I made 3 of the 4 skeins the 4th I unraveled from a sweater and dyed with kool-aide. If you haven't tried it it's a lot of fun! The red and blue sweater yarn is half red and half blue and a bit purple-y where the two meet. It was really interesting to dye I didn't think about where to put the other half of the yarn while one half was dying so I wound up with water all over the stove! John thinks coming home to the smell of warm kool-aide water is pretty normal now and honestly I love the fruity smell. Wonder if it's possible to make a candle with the stuff?

And then I made Lamina's kiddles sock monkeys. I have these cute socks saved jsut for sock critters. I love how sock animals are instantly gratifying becasue of how fast they are to make. I also love making them and seeing someone smile and think they are awesome!
Lamina said this and it made me feel so good:

Ok, I'm gonna have a moment here. THIS is why I craft. THIS is why I swap. My husband gives me grief sometimes about time spent on packages. But then I show him things like this. Someone who has never met me or my kiddos was willing to make me yarn, go an extra mile and throw in extra yarn and some toys for my kids. It restores my faith in humanity and helps me get through the day. So, I'll spend my time making things for other folk. Hopefully they love the things I send as much as I do.
Doesn't he look so happy? :) I'll post my pics of the yarn in progress and such later today!

Christmas Crafting and Ravelry

2007-11-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

I've been making tons or projects for Christmas. I hope to post some this week since I should also be getting my hand-spun yarn (which will need showing off.) and my partner should be getting hers! Which I will need to post pictures of! So In short keep reading!

Spinning up a Storm!

2007-11-14T07:26:00.000-08:00

I have been obsessed with my drumstick drop spindle. I absolutely love it. It spins so well. I decided to sign up for the hand spun yarn swap after only finishing one skien on the thing!
Well since last month I've been spinning a ton! I can't post pictures yet but considering my first 2 skeins were 24 and 34 yards I'm very pleased with how fast I'm progressing.
I've spun over 200 yards for this swap! And a total of 2 skeins of one fiber and one small skien of another. I've learned how to dye with kool-aide. (very cool you should totally try it.) And Have become a more consistent spinner. My yarns are no where near perfect there is some really thin and really thick places. But for the most part I'm getting to a very consistent #2 thickness. (baby/fingering weight in case you were wondering.)
Soon I hope to learn to ply my yarn on my spindle but till then I'm having a ton of fun. I can't wait to learn to ply with thread and beads or sparkles. Or who knows what else!
I can't wait to send my package tomorrow becasue my partner is going to love it I just know it. :)

Baby Robins

2007-11-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

I was so bummed last month when I was waiting for my end of month paycheck to purchase the crochet pattern for this:
I wanted it soooo badly and had had it in my E-bay watched item list for 2-3 months. Well today I'm checking on the items I"m watching and decided just to go check the sellers shop. And she had another one listed! I snatched it up. I'd be to heartbroken if it was sold again!

I have many fond memories of growing up and it seems like most of them revolve around baby robins.
I remember that one year all 4 of us kids sat outside and played with a baby robin which we named Fender bender all day. His mother was not happy about it hopping around in the yard across from us and squawking.
My brother accidentally stepped on it and killed him. We burried him under a buch in the front garden. That may seem sad but I remember every year that bush bloomed so big and pretty I thought of that cute robin.

One year I found a robin with a club foot his mother had abandoned him and I tried to raise him with the help of a friend who re-habbed birds.
He lived almost a week. I believe he had something wrong with him and that's why his mother abandoned him though becasue he died when I would have had him a week.

So I guess most of my stories about robins and growing up are sad. But I love robins.
this year I had a much better incident with one. I heard chirping outside and since we have cats I always go to make sure they aren't hurting a bird.
Luckily the little guy was fine but I decided he'd be safer in the back yard where the cats rarely went.
I tried to herd him back there and he fell in the creek and I had to fish him out. He was quite angry with me giving me a little "robiny" glare. lol. but the guy lived and my cats didn't get him to my knowledge.
I have wanted to crochet a robin for a long time and now it looks like I'll finally get my chance!

Of Knee High Socks And Ice Scrapers

2007-10-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning after having John's fire pages both go off a total of 5 times last night. got ready for work and even had time to make coffee only to get to my car and realize that the entire thing was frozen over.
John had decided we didn't NEED ice scrapers becasue we could always pour hot water on the windshields and windows to thaw the car out.
Now normally I would be ok with this but I was on time for once and that would make me late. I was not about to use a CD like he did last year so I had no choice but to go make hot water.

After thawing my car I arrived at work later than I ever have been. 9:15 as opposed to my usual 8:45 when I'm supposed to be there. I decided right then I'm getting an ice scraper. Nearly spilling boiling water on myself several times is just not fun.

Since we had this huge gap in time I went to the dollar store to get an ice scraper. Luckily they had one with a nice fat cushioned handle. Perfect for my hands.
I also needed some dress socks. Which may sound silly to buy at the dollar store but I really like their trouser socks and dress socks.
I seem to be suffering from the sock monster. As just this morning I had to hunt for a pair of matching socks since I had 3 that did not match in my drawer.
So I went to the sock isle next. I picked out my dress socks. A few different colors for different shoes and outfits, and what do I see?
Over the Knee socks! I bought a bunch of these last year on E-bay becasue no stores here sell them. They are a big deal in the uk so I had to pay a good little bit to get 4 pairs.
I snatched up a bunch of those! I wound up paying 11.00 in socks! lol. I got a few to wear a few for crafting and a pair for a Christmas gift. :)
Don't you just love it when your craft needs are the same as what you actually need?
Now when I get my sewing machine back I can make a bunch of sock monkeys for my etsy store. :)

Save my Place/ The Sampler

2007-10-25T09:57:00.001-07:00

I'm seriously considering contributing to the sampler:
http://www.homeofthesampler.com/contributors/contribute.html
the 25 items doesn't sound hard I think I could do that without a problem. a good way to get my etsy store's name out there don't you think?

Ravelry & Etsy

2007-10-22T09:45:00.001-07:00

So I've been meaning to photograph my stash and put it on ravelry for awhile. But something has come up every weekend when I plan to do it. Well today and tomorrow John and I both have off. I was planning to go out and run some errands with him but he got a fire call this morning at 10:00 and it's almost 1:00 now. He should be heading home soon.
In the meantime I photographed my whole stash while watching Ancient Start trek episodes on G4. I managed to get the whole thing photographed just as the batteries in the camera decided to die. So I still have to photograph the 2 Projects I'm working on and re-photograph the FO I made that the computer decided to delete the picture of for some unknown reason.
*rolls eyes*
But none of that will take nearly as long as what I just did. It's currently uploading into my flickr photos. :)
In the meantime I'm just waiting....

I opened my etsy shop on Saturday while doing some searching for children's ministry at church. Took me forever to get it all set up but I have a ton of jewelry in there! Whoot! Now to sell some stuff.
My hopes is that my etsy store sales will at least fund my stash of yarn and fiber for spinning.

So I don't loose these.

2007-10-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

I've been really getting into my knitting lately. Don't worry crocheters I have not abandoned you.
But I am one of those people who loves both crafts and thinks they are wonderful when put together. The only way to do that is to get better at knitting so I can start to make my own patterns there too and put them both together in their own unique to me way.
So I'm practicing new techniques with simple projects. I learned knitting and purling ages ago and made a dishcloth for the star gate swap.
But to practice increasing I made the drop dead gorgeous triangle shawl. Which I should have added a few rows to but I figure I can save that to teach myself how to pick up stitches.
Now I'm trying to learn decreasing and some light lacework. :) Fun!
So I'm saving some links here to print later:
http://kellymaher.wordpress.com/2007/07/04/ribbed-lace-bolero/

Update on Saffire

2007-10-08T19:38:00.000-07:00

For those who have been reading my blog and such:

Saffire had to be put to sleep tonight at 9:00. We came home and while I was cleaning the bedroom I realized he was blocked and could not potty. Unfortunetely we knew this was coming but I was hoping he could hold on till I had sold enough craft goods to raise the money for his surgery. Apparently he couldn't.
Saffire was in pain but he's not anymore and we are happy for him to not be hurting anymore. He was a good ferret and in no way did he deserve to get sick but these things happen. He will be missed by not only John and myself but his buddies Toby and Ruby.

Rest in peace Saffire You will be missed.

Having fun?

2007-09-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

Hello readers! I have been greatly enjoying my little swapping hiatus Well It's not really a hiatus since I'm organizing/participating in a swap but it's not a big swap so it's been easy and quite enjoyable. :)

I have actually been able to work on some stuff for me as you saw in the last post! I finally lined my Fat Bottom Bag on Saturday but unfortunately put the lining in sideways! Oops. I spent all day Sunday working on fixing the problem and managed to get the lining out without damaging the pretty top stitching I'd done! Whoot!
Then yesterday I fixed it all up and my measurements weren't nearly as far off as I thought. in future reference what I have learned from this project:

Do not craft when my eyes hurt as this probably means I'm tired and need to go to bed.
Gather lining on sewing machine before sewing it into bag.
Make pockets rounded so gathers don't matter.

If I do this then I don't ave to worry about weather or not the handle flaps are there. I should have my bag done by the end of the week! I'm very excited as I haven't made myself a bag before!
And the yarn is so soft and light! I love the color and the sheen! Oh I have decided next time it's on sale I'm buying 20 skeins and making a blanket. In half double crochet it works up so fast! And even in single I think it would.

I can't wait for fall to start so I can get my unseamly sweater out of it's purple bag and finish it It's coming along nicely and just needs me to finish the sleeves and stitch up the shoulder seams.

On top of that Ren. Fest is next weekend and I decided not to make my entire costume due to time. However I am fixing my cape so I can wear it and not die from the heavy flannel hood. I decided to completely remove the original hood and add one that actually is wearable.
I also found a free tut online that shows how to make a chemise which is renaissance wear for shirts/tunics. I decided to bum ma bed sheet from mom and make it. And luckily it is coming along! I got the 4 pieces cut out last night in the "limited commercials" during Heros and then put it up. Tonight I hope to either complete the Fat bottom Bag or the chemise. I'm not sure!

I also have been learning to spin my own yarn! This is something I've wanted to do for a long time and I finally got a kit from a personal swap and have been playing with it. I posted my first skien and have completed my second one. It's in my bathroom drying. (though it was probably dry early Sunday I just need to take it out of the bathroom.)So I did some searching today and plan to dye it with some kool-aide over the weekend! I also want to experiment with dying the corridale fiber I have carded. I bought 2 packets when I got groceries last week and can't wait to see how it comes out. I plan to dye my white merino with blue kool-aide and I want to try grape on the lovely chocolate brown corridale. We'll see how it goes. It seems darker fibers make the kool-aide colors darker and lighter make it more vibrant. :) I can't wait to try it!

A spider and a Fat Bottom Bag

2007-09-22T09:32:00.001-07:00

I offered to test this guy for nuts about 3 weeks ago. Got sidetracked and just finished this week.
But he came out so cute and nuts patterns is so awesome! If you've been thinking about buying it you should!

He likes to write stories and such in his web. He also greatly loves poetry. But he gets very upset when it rains (As it did last night) and his web is crumpled and his stories are lost. I'm trying to convince him that pencil and paper is the way to go but you try using a pencil and paper when your feet are covered with sticky hairs and you have 8 legs.

All images should be click-able for full sized pictures!

I also am working on the fat bottom bag from the happy Hooker:

And a closeup of the stitches and yarn:

Just so I don't loose these

2007-09-17T10:15:00.001-07:00

Once again bookmarking some things so I am not tempted to print things at work when I have plenty of black ink at home:
http://www.knitchat.com/readers-gallery/
http://www.loomknitterscircle.com/IssueFall07/patterns/VintageWrap.html
http://www.loomknittinghelp.com/index.html
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/BK4K-0602020.html?noImages=
http://www.loomknittinghelp.com/intro/makeloom_files/TinCanLoomDirections.pdf
http://home.earthlink.net/~dickrobinson/index.htm
http://www.knitchat.com/

Spinning is fun.

2007-09-16T19:22:00.001-07:00

Being a crocheter for the most part and slightly a knitter I thought the next fun thing to try would be to make yarn that I can use for projects.
I Participated in a swap with a fellow craftster to get some fiber and a Mayan Spinner a few weeks ago. They came from Australia and I was psyched to use them. I Got my chance while visiting my husbands grandparents in Atlanta. It was a really relaxing trip and I spent a good portion of my time crocheting a project for myself and practicing spinning.
Here's my first single ply spun yarn:

I think I did pretty well. From everything I've read your first several spinning projects will be a thick and thin yarn with some parts under spun and some parts over spun. Which is exactly what this is. So I guess I'm going about it right!
I used 100 % aussie Merino Wool Which was 20 microns. What the microns means I don't know but I figure that's important. And I'm just thrilled to know what it is! lol.
The stuff is so soft and squishy I really love it! I found out after having some issues joining it though and doing some research that merino is not a recommended fiber for a beginner to start with! It's actually a advanced fiber! So I guess I'm doing really well! lol
Here's what this was made with. The little wodden thing on top with the stick through it is a mayan spinner. It's the coolest thing! Highly portable and very neat. I am really excited to try it some more and get better at it! And use it with an easier fiber. If you have some BFL fiber you need to get rid of please PM me on craftster and I'll gladly take it off your hands! I can crochet and sew as well as cook. And I have a very wonderful husband I'll even lend out to do cleaning and cooking. ;)

The other fun part about spinning is making your own tools. This little dude is not just a board with two nails in it. It's my skeining tool! I don't know what the technical name for it is but I saw it in a tut for unraveling a sweater to use the yarn and have kept it in my head ever since. So I asked Dad for a piece of scrap wood. This puppy was all ready finished but had some nail holes that needed sanded so my new yarn wouldn't catch. So I sanded it down along the holes and rough edges and stuck some stickers to it and Wah-la! Instant skeining tool and no tieing is required!
:)
I also made my own drop spindle in a bit different manner than most you see so I'll be posting that next but for now this is all you get! Enjoy! I'm off to make a pin cushion!

Help Save Saffire

2007-09-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

This is just for my esty shop, which will hopefully Be up and running soon.

How did you get a naked Ferret:
A good question. Saffire was a sort of rescue. He and his sister were adopted by my sister via the internet. Ferrets are not an easy to care for pet and she did not have enough time for them.
My husband and I had two ferrets at the time that were a well bonded pair. When Tachi passed away at the beginning of the year we were convinced we could help Toby cope without her. We were wrong. Though he Ate and drank Toby refused to play with us having been socialized to other ferrets and not people he wanted to play with his own kind.
My Sister decided to give us her two ferrets so our 1 became 3! We love them all dearly and Toby was so happy to have a friend to play with and Saffire has been his companion Since. If Saffire dies Toby will be very upset and depressed again becasue the third ferret is deaf and does not play with him.
When my Sister got Saffire she was in denial that there is anything wrong with him. And he was all ready bald then. There is no way to be sure how long he has been bald or getting that way. As he was 3 when we became his caregiver.

Basic info:
Saffire is a 4 year old, Male, neutered and de-scented ferret who loves to be held and have his face rubbed. His favorite thing to do when let out to play is to rub himself all over the carpet. He likes this becasue one of the side effects of his disease is that he itches all over. Quite cute to watch him enjoy a good scratch but sad at the same time.

Saffire suffers from Adrenal Disease. Adrenal disease is one of the three most common ferret illnesses and it seems to affect males more than females. It's also more dangerous for males due to the way their internal organs are positioned. The disease is mostly noticeable but the lack of fur. It starts at the tail and travels up the base till the poor ferret loses all it's hair! Saffire is currently naked. He only has hair on his face and feet.
The reason the disease is so dangerous is the nodules can spread from the adrenal gland to the prostate, liver, and wrap around the urinary and bowel tract in males. We believe this may have started in Saffire which is why I am trying to raise money.

What I have done:
My husband and myself are both working full time. Which to most vets and financial aid services makes them think we should have enough income for this surgery. Truth is we are on a super tight budget. We have a house, not an apartment, we have 2 cars, a dog and 3 cats, not to mention two other (so far) healthy ferrets. We have good medical insurance for ourselves but unfortunately we cannot afford the extra money for Saffires surgery. Unless the Surgery is Practically Free.
I have myself called 9 vets in my area and out of state who deal with ferrets. I have declined calling vets who do not do surgery as they all seem to refer to the same place and he's all ready been diagnosed with the disease by a well qualified Small Animal, and Exotics Veterinarian. Saffire has had his Shots, And his heart worm meds regularly.
My husband has Called More Vets out of state pretty much within a 24 hour driving distance. We have pretty much admitted defeat.

How did Saffire get this way:
The Saddest thing about Saffires disease is that there is nothing any person could have done to prevent it. He is on the best ferret food I can afford (which is actually pretty good stuff. It's the third recommended food.) He has had his shots, and check-ups. And this disease is caused by hormones.
For more info on Adrenal disease please read these links:
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/adrenal.html
http://www.ferret-universe.com/health/adrenal.asp
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/ferrets/a/ferretadrenal.htm
http://www.lbah.com/ferrets/adrenal_disease.htm

Now What:
The good news is that adrenal disease in ferrets is very treatable. The problem is the only treatment that is a proven cure in 90% or patients is surgery. And as we all know surgery is expensive enough on a dog or a cat but a ferret is considered an exotic pet so the surgery can only be preformed by qualified, experienced Vets with expensive equipment. My vet has all ready told me this can cost as little as 300 dollars but It can cost as high as 500.
there is also a possibility that Saffire Has insulinoma which can be treated in the same surgery. for only 50 dollars more. That's included in this price figure of 500 at most.
Ferrets are very good candidates for multiple surgery's at once and bounce back very quickly afterwards. So the sooner the surgery is done the better!

What if you can't get the surgery:
Saffire will die. It's plain and simple. My husband and I can not afford the surgery so Saffire will become impacted and unable to use the litter-box and we will have to put him to sleep. This is not merely a cosmetic condition it is deadly when left untreated. Saffire is very sweet tempered and does not deserve to die. Some animals wind down like my previous ferret did, and you can just tell when they are ready to go. Saffire is full of life and energy! He tries to escape every time I feed the ferrets just like Toby does (who is much younger). He is not ready to go and does not want to die. This is why I need YOUR help. By buying an item from my etsy store you will be putting money towards saving Saffire's life. Let's be honest a few dollars is not that much. I really hope you can help! If for some reason he can't hold on that long your money will still go on credit at my Vet so my other ferrets can continue to have their checkups to help catch diseases like Saffire has early.
I will be happy to answer any more questions via and e-mail. Which is posted in the free pattern for my pug toy.

to use the office printer or not to use the office printer.....

2007-09-13T10:58:00.001-07:00

That is the eternal question!
Well in order to not use the office printer as I am over my "limit" (not that one exists I set this limit myself) I am putting some things here so I can print them when I get home:
http://amigurumi-along.blogspot.com/2006/04/bear-pattern.html

Lobster Amigurumi

2007-09-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

This is what I've been so busy on lately. I had planned to make this guy for ashestoashes with the koi but it just didn't happen. I wanted to give enough detail to both and a week just wasn't enough.

Busy busy bee that's me.

2007-09-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

For those of you wondering about the koi pattern it's coming along nicely. Mom is having a bit of a delay with finishing but I have found a few errors and I'm working on getting it finished and ready for selling.
I'm also working on a lobster. I have been swamped with personal swaps and i'm finishing my last one. I have to send out it and my previous package this week so I'm really crocheting away!
But I did get permission from Coats and clark to sell scruffy so He'll be in my etsy shop soon and when he is I"ll post the link to it!

Braut the Koi

2007-08-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

So in case you have been wondering here's what I've been working on! His name is Braut and he is a dotisu Koi fish. He's crocheted with no pattern (though I did write down what I did! go me!) using a picture for refrence. his spots are the best part. I love how he came out.

Koi stats:
Made with simply soft yarn in white black and bright orange. as well as acrylic felt, and some cotton embroidery floss.

Stalking me?

2007-08-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

If you are one of my swap partners perhaps you'd like to know more about me. I have 3 ferrets, 3 cats, and a dog. I really want to own a guinea pig and I'm sick of cats. When mine are gone I do not want another for a long time.

I am a Christian of the "baptist-ish" persuasion. And my faith is very very important to me. I am a huge advocate for breast cancer awareness, becasue my grandmother had breast cancer for several years. It was in remission when she died. Thus I love "pink ribbon" stuff.

I Only wear silver jewelry if it's a metal color. I like gold but I would have to have a set becasue I can't wear jut one gold piece among a ton of silver. I love really unique jewelry. Like the kind with a large bunch of stones or a unique accent stone or shell. I love sea themed jewelry. I believe that mermaids exist or existed at least. I believe in dragons. I think they are extinct but they are spoken of in the bible so therefore I think they existed. I love dragons the best of mythical creatures. Then unicorns and Pegasus, and then mermaids and gryphons.

My favorite colors are Green red and black in that order. I really hate yellow for some reason. It looks awful on me. I look best in baby pink, but wear mostly blue, black, and white. My favorite pair of pants are a size 10 old navy dress pants that are black with pink pinstripes.

I can't stand dolls, but I want a BJD. I prefer stuffed animals. I have a whole clothing hamper full of my large ones and the top of my fabric shelf is covered with my special ones. I like realist stuffed animals best. I can't stand overly cute things.
My favorite animals are: Turtles, ferrets, tree frogs, dogs, Lobsters, merekats, tigers, giraffes, leopards, wolves, and squid.

I crochet and love to make things without patterns. I am trying to improve my knitting but everything I go to pick up my needles I see another crochet pattern I want to make! I sew the best I think. I would really like to learn to spin and needle felt as well as tatt, and work with polymer clay. I want to own a sheep and a miniuture cow one day.

I admire tatoos but could never wear one myself. I love tats with meanings.

I really love to cook. But my hubby is so picky I rarely get to experiment. Cookies and cake are my favorite things to make.

I love purses, and shirts. I will wear almost any t-shirt with a cool thing on it. I go through purses like crazy.

I am a nerd. I love html, and I'm trying to learn CSS. I am a forum addict. IF it's out there and useful I join it!

I'm dyslexic. And number drive me nuts.

I wear contacts and need a pair of glasses.

I am married even though I"m only 21. I have been married since I was 19 (for almost two years total now) I want to have 3 children and two dogs.

I am trying to collect willow tree figurines. I have 2 so far. My mom collected precious moments.
My favorite holiday is thanksgiving becasue I get to spend time with my family baking and eating and just talking. I love making Christmas presents though. My birthday has been the most fun the last two years. My MIL bought me yarn! ;)

I love patterns. I hope to one day publish a book of crocheted stuffed toy patterns. I would like to write a book about marriage for young couples. I think marriage is really sacred and wonderful.

My favorite movies are: The lord of the rings, The princess bride, Ella enchanted, Elizabeth town, The princess diary's, dirty dancing, the sound of music, and the music man (original version not the one with Matthew Broderick in it). I love musicals!

My favorite bands are late 90's Christan punk artists: Relient k, hawk nelson, and Everyday Sunday are among my top favs, I also like Mark Schultz, Toby Mac, The Cross Movement, Pillar, Thousand Foot Crutch, and Barlow Girl. My Favorite secular bands/singers are: Green day, Natasha Beddingfield, and Avril, as well as Evanescence, Linkin Park, and some Ashlee Simpson. I liked the backstreet boys better than Nsync. But both really stink.

Hopefully that helps some!

Just so I don't loose these

2007-08-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

http://craft-stop.com/store/productprintdetail.cfm?ProdCatID=54
http://www.tamemymind.com/artscrafts/pages/patternbooks-crochet-children.php
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=56708&highlight=guinea+pig
http://stormy.eamped.com/