My life, in snippets

Melissa's blog

2011-12-31T04:48:00.000-08:00

In 2012, I want to get back to my poor neglected blog. That also means that I get to start reading more friends blogs.

I just found out an online friend of mine has a really great blog AND she's got an awesome year end give away. Go check her bloggy goodness out here. :)

How To Make A Taggie

2011-10-09T17:49:00.001-07:00

So, you've seen those super cute baby things called "taggies" and you want to make your own? They're SUPER easy to do and you can whip one up in about an hour.

Supplies
1. 2 pieces of fabric cut to your desired size. I like to do squares. Depending on the size of fabrics I have, I like to do mine 15-18" square. Wash and dry your fabrics first. I like to use flannel paired with fleece. 2 layers of fleece is pretty thick for some machines to stitch thru. Use whatever fabrics you want to. Be creative!
2. Ribbons. I tend to like them to be matchy all the way around but I've seen them made with all different ribbons. Try to use different textures and patterns. Ric-rak is fun too.
3. Thread
4. Sewing machine
5. Scissors or rotary cutter & cutting mat
6. Ruler
7. Pins

Ok- ready to get started?
1. Cut your fabric to your desired size. Here, my squares are 18"

2. Cut your ribbons to 6". Fold in half and press with a warm iron. If the iron's too hot the ribbon may melt.

3. Take one piece if fabric and place it face up. Pin the ribbons, folded end toward the center of the fabric, around the outside. I do mine starting 2" from the corners and then about 2" apart. I also do them 2" in from the edge. Be sure to pin them all down. Put sturdy ribbons at the corners for hanging on things.

4. Place your other fabric face DOWN over the piece you just pinned all the ribbons to. Match the edges as best you can and pin the heck out of it. I start by pinning the center and a few inches out from the center then I pin between all the ribbons and at the corners.

5. Stitch all the way around using a 1/2" seam allowance. Be sure to leave space for turning. I usually take one of the ribbons out and leave about 5" open.

6. Clip the corners to get a nice corner when you turn it.

7. Turn it right side out after reaching in and removing all the pins. Trust me, remove the pins before trying to turn it. Poke the corners out. I like to use a chopstick for this.

8. Iron it smooth and be sure to iron the fabric inwards at the opening you left for turning.

9. Pin the ribbon you left out into the opening. Pin around the taggie to keep the front and back neat for top stitching.

10. Stitch around the taggie. I like to do 2 lines. I just use the sewing machine foot for the measure here. One line is the outer edge of the foot and the other is the inner line. I think they're 3/8" and 1/8" (maybe ?)

11. You're done! :) Sit back and smile at the money you saved and the cuteness you created! If you make a taggie using this tutorial, drop me a note and let me know how it turned out.

quilting books

2011-09-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

I inherited a whole bunch of quilt magazines and books. Anyone interested in them? I have no clue what's in the books since I don't really quilt much. There's some ribbon applique stuff, some patchwork, piecing patterns, crazy quilt.

Sorry the pictures are all upside down and wonky. But you get the idea. Just turn your screen upside down. :)

Miss Independent Necklace and Earrings

2011-08-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

Fusion Beads put up a tutorial for this GORGEOUS necklace a while ago. I instantly fell in love and knew I had to make it. So, here it is- Miss Independent. Of course, I can't make a necklace without matching earrings so I also made earrings. I think they need more crystals at the top to "fill out" a bit more and match the necklace- guess I'll have to order more beads. :) The picture does NOT do it justice- it's SO crazy sparkly and shiny. Hopefully when I wear it for school pictures it'll photograph better and I can put up a picture of ME wearing it.

Mini Crib Sheet Tutorial

2011-07-24T14:46:00.001-07:00

I got a great hand me down mini crib from my cousin. We're painting it lime green for Ally's room. To go with the mini crib, I needed sheets. All the sheets I found online were around $20-$30 for ONE! I'm not about to pay that for ONE sheet! So I searched around the internet and found a few tutorials. I didn't really like any of them, so my sister and I figured out how to make one ourselves. AND I was able to make 4 for under $25! I could have done it cheaper but I really liked these fabrics and had to have them. :) This tutorial has elastic ALL THE WAY around the underside, not just on the corners. I found out that this sheet will also fit my pack and play! Double happiness!

To make a mini crib sheet (38"x24"x6" deep) you'll need (if yours is a different size, scroll down for how to get the measurements you need):
1.5 yd fabric
matching thread
54" of 1/4" elastic

Directions:
1. Wash and dry your fabrics. I used flannel for this one but plan to make a new that are just cotton.

2. Cut your fabric to be 38"x52"

3. Fold over into 4's so that the open corners are all together.
4. Pin a 7" square of paper to the corner to give you a cutting line.
5. Remove the 7" square of fabric.
6. Match up the edges of the corner you just removed and pin. Do this on all 4 corners.
7. Stitch closed with a 1/4" seam (or there abouts, I used my sewing foot to get a straight line. Again, do this on all 4 corners.

8. At this point, if you want to, you can zig zag or serge all the way around to give a nice finished edge. I don't have a serger and really didn't want to take the time to zig zag. We'll see how well these sheets wash and if they fray.
9. Fold over 3/4" and iron all the way around. I pinned it too because I'm ultra anal about having things straight.
10. Iron all the way around so you have a nice straight edge to stitch against.

11. Stitch a casing using 1/2" seam allowance. I used my quilting thingie (I know it's got a proper name but I don't know it) to get a consistent 1/2". Don't forget to leave a space to thread the elastic. I like to do this at the beginning so I don't forget down the line.
12. Thread your 1/4" elastic thru it being sure to pin it at the far end so it doesn't slip into the casing. Yes, I know this from experience. LOL.
13. Tie a knot or stitch the ends of the elastic together and slide it back into the casing a bit.

14. Sew the opening shut and stand back to admire your brand new sheet. :)

Note: this is for MY specific mattress. If your mattress is a different size you're going to have to adjust the measurements. See below.

Here's how I did it.
1.I took the length of my fabric and subtracted the length of my mattress, then subtracted the depth of my mattress x 2, then subtracted the seam allowance x 2.

2. I then took the width of my fabric and subtracted the width of the mattress, then subtracted the depth of my mattress x 2, then subtracted the same seam allowance x 2 from step 1.

3. You want to make sure that you have the same size on each piece to cut out so you may have to do a little "wiggle room" math and trim it down a bit to get it figured out

4. To figure out the square you need to remove, add the depth of the fabric and 1 of the seam allowances. If you use the seam allowance x 2 you will have too small of a sheet. Again, experience here.

So, for mine-
mattress length is 38", 38+6+6+1+1=52" which is the length of fabric I started with
mattress width is 24", 24+6+6+1+1= 38" which is the width of fabric I started with
mattress depth is 6", 6+1=7" which is the side length of the square I removed.

Any questions or corrections please email me! Thanks for checking out my tutorial. :)

My Dad's iPad 2 case

2011-07-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

My dad just got an iPad 2. He LOVES it but needed a cover for it. Thus the birth of this "one hour" cover. Let me just tell you, it did NOT take an hour! I made it over 2 days (ran out of thread, ran out of velcro.) It would have taken me a full day of sewing to make it but I sew REALLY slowly. I also didn't have enough fabric to make the flap from the piece I quilted so I had to improvise and added on to it. I really like the way it turned out actually! Happy mistake there. :)

Both the inside and outside are quilted with warm and natural quilt batting. The outside is a solid blue cotton fabric and the inside is a soft blue mottled flannel. I LOVE it! There's a hidden jeans pocket (yes, from a real pair of jeans) that closes with velcro to hold all the cords and whatever. The flap folds over and secures with velcro to hold it shut and keep the iPad inside. I put a grab handle on it made from left over quilt binding from my quilt I made for Ally. I think it's manly enough to not be a "bag" but still VERY usable. The handle can also be slung over a door knob. Not having an iPad to actually make it around, I hope it fits when I give it to him!

Outside of the iPad2 case

Opened up to show off the lining and hidden pocket

Close up of the pocket I added

I really like this little tote and think I might just make one for myself eventho I don't have an iPad. it's neat. I've never done anything with the jeans pockets I took off the TONS of pairs of jeans I used for Ally's rag quilt. I have plans for SOME of the pockets but I have almost 30 pockets to use!

I loosely used the tutorial from One Shabby Chick to make this tote. I had to call dad to find out the exact dimensions of his iPad and ended up trimming down the fabric a bit to make sure it all fit properly. I made the outside 1/4" larger all around because of the bulk of the layers of batting and fabric. I also stitched the flap to the lining and then shoved it inside the outside and stitched those together. I used stitch witchery to hold the tops down so I could stitch them together. I don't like the whole "leave a hole to turn the whole thing right side out" and prefer to make complete bags and then fold over and sew the tops together.

Thanks for checking out my iPad tote. If you'd like one email me! :)

Cloth Napkins w/Mitered Corners

2011-06-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

My sister has a blog for her sewing group and she's got some challenges up for us to do. This is the first challenge she has for us and I FINALLY got to work on it. They're for her so shhhhh don't tell! :) I think they turned out really nice seeing as it's my first attempt and all. Next time I think I'll do 1/2" fold under tho instead of 1/4" that's recommended in the blog because my little finger tips got singed a bit from the steam of the iron. I made 6 and LOVE the way they turned out. The mitered corners aren't PERFECT but they look just fine. It's a great way to bust thru my stash of fabric too. :)

Yes, that's my baby belly showing in the bottom of the picture. LOL

Everything Old is New Again

2011-05-21T16:54:00.001-07:00

"Everything Old is New Again" was the theme for this round of beading bloggers from artbeads.com. I chose to do a "steampunk" theme since I LOVE the looks of it and have never really been brave enough to try it. I had a hard time figuring out what to do but ended up with some REALLY great beads and findings to play with.

This is all the brass/antique brass stuff I picked out.

There are some gears, a great butterfly, a very cool clasp, chain, wire and of course swarovski crystals. I can't seem to make ANYTHING without using crystals! I didn't end up using the wire as it was shiny brass and it didn't work with the antique brass. I'm sure I'll use it on another project. I also used some Tim Holtz gears and a spring ring and head pins (that I cut the ends off to use as wire) and a few extra little red crystals I had in my stash.

"Brass Butterfly"

This is all the copper stuff I picked out.

In the copper I picked out some chain, bead frames, a clasp, some crystal rivoli settings, and the rivoli crystals to go into the settings. Let me tell you, those crystals are GORGEOUS in the sunlight! I used GS Hypo to glue the crystals into the bezels. To make this I also added in some 8 mm clear swarovski rounds, some Tim Holtz gears I glued together with my GS Hypo to make a center piece and a few others I had laying around and used copper wire and split rings from my stash to hold it all together. I really love copper stuff. I see myself wearing this pretty frequently.

"Copper Chains and Crystals"

Thanks for checking out my latest projects. I LOVE being a beading blogger partner! It's always fun to challenge myself with new and different products.

Disclosure...As a reviewer of products at Artbeads.com, I received all beads pictured in the first photos posted above free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products...positive or negative. I am not being compensated by Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

The Long Awaited Belly Pictures

2011-04-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

8 weeks

Not much of a belly so to speak.
Hope I can look like this again one day! :)

12 weeks

Just a little bit of a belly.
Note that you can see the door knob.

16 weeks
The door knob is disappearing.

20 weeks
No more door knob. LOL
HALF WAY THERE!

24 weeks

Still in my regular jeans with the help of a hair band.

So far I've gained about 17 lbs.
I'm very pleased.
The kiddo is rolling around a bit more than she was but not like I thought she would be.
I know that's coming soon enough tho.

Baby's Floor Quilt

2011-04-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

I made this quilt for us to throw on the floor and play on or to drag outside and put on the ground. The back is denim, the front is soft and cuddly flannel. I still have to "rag" it but I need to figure out what to do with the edges before I do that. The denim is from old pairs of jeans that Greg and I gave to my nana to use and I got back when she moved to Chico. So, how geeky is it that our kid who has our genes gets a quilt made from our jeans?

This is what 16 pairs of jeans looks like when cut into 169 6.5" squares

169 flannel pieces cut from 14 different fabrics

The flannel and denim paired up. It's quite scary looking

All sewn together, this is the front side

All sewn together, this is the back side

Now to figure out how I want to finish the edges- do I bind it or just rag it?
If I bind it, what should I do it with? Denim? Flannel scraps? Cotton fabric?

FINALLY got a sunny day

2011-03-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

So, this is my OTHER piece for the Beading Bloggers over at Artbeads, it's called "Green Hills" because the colors remind me of my morning (and afternoon) drive to and from work. In the summer the hills are all brown and icky looking, not very lively or inspiring. BUT when it starts raining EVERYTHING comes alive. The grasses start growing, the little creeks start flowing, life is actually visible.

For the necklace part of this project I used some wonderfully green Chrysoprase gemstones from Artbeads. I used a beautiful green and yellow focal bead as the center piece. The clasp is a cool gunmetal pewter wave pattern. I used black parawire to do the wirewrapping. For the bracelet I used the same Chrysoprase gemstones and parawire combined with a "hitch clasp" that I had in my stash.

Here are pictures from along my drive. I get to enjoy this for 25.8 miles of driving each way.

AND these are pictures of my awesome "Green Hills" necklace and bracelet.

Green Hills Necklace

Green Hills Bracelet

Disclosure...As a reviewer of products at Artbeads.com, I received all beads pictured in the first photo posted above free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products...positive or negative. I am not being compensated by Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

19 week sonogram pictures

2011-03-16T21:03:00.001-07:00

Kiddo in profile. :)

It's a GIRL, yep, got the girlie parts and everything!

And the "money shot"

Kiddo with her hand wrapped around her knees.

Two tiny feets

Another shot of her little feet, looks like she might have MY "monkey toes"

I think I'm in love with this little one already! :)

Winter Inspiration

2011-02-21T16:12:00.001-08:00

For this round of beading bloggers for Artbeads.com I was to come up with a winter inspiration. I've done too much of the white, blue, silver, snowflakes so I thought for a while and wandered their AMAZING site to see what inspiration I could find. I decided to do something a bit different and these are the beautiful baubles I came up with.

My package has arrived!

The tierra cast charms

The glass focal bead

I've been dying to use irradiated quartz and figured this bracelet was the perfect opportunity to play with it a bit. I also LOVE the glue in charms so I had to get a few of those. This bracelet reminds me to be reflective of my life and what I'm doing. It's got live, love, create, grow, and play. The glue in stones are all AB swarovski SS09 size.

winter reflections bracelet

Some of the other things I picked out are a green gemstone called chrysoprase and a GREAT focal glass bead in greens and yellows. These colors remind me of my gorgeous drive to and from work daily. I drive 26 miles on a 2 lane county highway each way for work. It's through lots of grazing land and rolling hills full of ponds, streams, cows, and horses. For the first 5 months of my commute, it's brown and ugly but in the winter it comes to life- the hills turn amazing shades of green, the trees are dormant so they're silhouetted by the normally blue skies. Yes, I live in sunny CA and don't get snow where I live. This piece is going to have to wait to be revealed tho because I had to get some black wire and a clasp to make it with. Stay tuned for "rolling hills necklace".

Disclosure...As a reviewer of products at Artbeads.com, I received all beads pictured in the first photo posted above free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products...positive or negative. I am not being compensated by Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

Been busy in these parts

2011-02-11T21:12:00.001-08:00

Figured it's time I blogged. I found out on my dad's 64th birthday that I was pregnant. Made me happy, scared, freaked out, nuts. I cried, I laughed. I told my parents at my dad's birthday party. It was a GREAT day all around.

I was a bit leery of it from the beginning since we lost one this past summer (which will be blogged about later when it's not so raw still). I called the doc right away and got signed up for their pregnancy workshop. My first appointment wasn't scheduled until I was 9 weeks. I didn't think I could wait that long not knowing if it would go to term or not. So, I called and talked to the advice nurse who was great and said she'd get me in for a quick sonogram right after my workshop. We saw the heart beating. Helped me feel better about the whole situation.

I had my first blood draw- they took FIVE vials of my good red stuff! WHAT THE HELL???? AND I bruised HORRIDLY for THREE weeks! OMG! I was ready to KILL!

7 week in office sonogram. VERY happy to see that there's a heart beat. :)

9 week in office sonogram. You can see the little arm and leg buds. Nice strong heart beat. Happy to see kiddo progressing nicely.

At 11 weeks, I went for another blood test- the quad marker screening- this time it was only ONE vial and I didn't bruise AT ALL!

These are from my 13 week Nuchal Translucency Sonogram. Good results all around. VERY low risk of Down's Syndrome and Trisomy 18. No sign of Spina Bifida. I'm a happy girl. :)

Fall Beading Bloggers Project

2010-10-31T13:28:00.000-07:00

This time around, for the Artbeads beading bloggers program, I got to order some FABULOUS beads and findings that remind me of fall, or pick from the Pantone hot new colors. For this project, I went with the fall inspiration while keeping the Pantone colors in mind. I chose some gemstones in labradorite, red poppy jasper, orange aventurine, and yellow aragonite, some copper plated pewter leaf links, some copper head pins, and lastly some copper chain.

Here's my stuff straight out of the package and ready to go!

Aren't these copper leaves great? I LOVE them!

Colors of Fall Bracelet
I made a bracelet out of the chain and head pins and the gemstone beads. I love the way the colors look together with the copper. The little flower link at the end of the bracelet and the clasp are from artbeads too. I think I need to add more of the gemstone dangles on the other side of the chain but I ran out of head pins. OOPS!

Colors of Fall Necklace
This necklace was made by wire wrapping gemstone links with the copper leaves. I really like the colors I picked out to use. They really remind me of fall and all the fun that goes along with it.

I have a TON of gemstone beads left over and a bunch of leaves too. Still trying to figure out what I want to make with them. :) Maybe some earrings?

Disclosure...As a reviewer of products at Artbeads.com, I received all beads pictured in the first photo posted above free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products...positive or negative. I am not being compensated by Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

PC and Angela ROCK!

2010-10-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

Angela's Blog

Why this post? Well, Angela got a cricut cartrige with no book. She contacted Provo Craft and they sent her a new cartridge WITH a book. So, to pay it forward she's giving away a Happy Hauntings Cartridge. Cool huh? Go visit her blog, leave some love, and tell her I sent ya. Happy Saturday. :)

newest additions

2010-08-08T18:59:00.000-07:00

Mac (the tuxedo) and Charlie (the tabby) came to live with us on July 31. They are 14 week old brother kitties.

Cal Quilt

2010-07-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

I made this quilt for a friend of mine. Turned out pretty darn good if I do say so myself seeing as it's my 2nd quilt EVER! It's kinda a cheater quilt because the top fabric was already done- I just stitched along the grid lines for the quilting. I'm getting better with my satin blanket edging too. I even figured out (3/4 of the way thru this one) how to hide the part where 2 different pieces of edging line up. Seems to simple to me now! LOL

Top of the quilt

Back of the quilt

Front and back of the quilt

Folded up with the recipients initials on top

Baby Blanket for Kristi

2010-07-15T13:02:00.001-07:00

Months ago I found this great "soft and comfy" pink heart fabric at Joann's in the remnant bin. I had no clue what I would use it for but I had to get it. So it sat in my stash for a while. Then I found out my sister in law was having a little girl and her nursery is pastels. Hello! What better time to use the fabric? I got some white dot "soft and comfy" to go with it and added in some light weight batting. I finished out the blanket with satin blanket binding. I used variegated pastel thread for the quilting and to stitch on the binding. I only quilted the long lines on this blanket because my squares don't match up well at all and I didn't want to try free form on my very first project. So, it's not nearly as puffy, fluffy as it could be but it's cute and cozy and SUPER DUPER soft.

Front side

Folded over so you can see both front and back

Summer Design Partners @ Artbeads.com

2010-07-11T13:34:00.001-07:00

I got my first batch of beads to play with from Artbeads as part of their Design Partners Bloggers. I got to pick from the HUGE assortment of Charms, Pendants, and Glass Beads for this round. I picked some sea life tierra cast charms in copper, czech glass beads in 4 and 8 mm earth tones mix and sea tones mix, a really cool Kalera style glass bead in sunset, and several ocean colored grooved glass rectangles with a picasso edge. I love beads from Artbeads because it's easy to match up colors on their website to get a great selection of beads that go together well. It seems that I'm all about copper these days so I used lots of copper in my pieces.

My Fun Bead Order

Sunset Necklace
I combined the 4 and 8 mm czech beads to make this necklace. I did the earth tones in 8 mm alternating with the sea tones in 4 mm off the ocean colored side of the Kalera bead and then did 8 mm sea tones alternating with 4 mm earth tones off the amber colored side. To finish it I used a copper toggle clasp from my bead stash. This Kalera bead is beautiful. The czech rounds go well with it too. I love how these colors all work together.

Ocean Fun Bracelet
On this fun piece, I used some copper wire, a copper trailer hitch clasp, and copper oval jump rings from my stash and combined them with the ocean rectangles and copper sea life charms. I made wire wrapped links using 20 gauge copper wire and linked them together with an oval jump ring and a charm. The clasp is from a bead store in Oregon but I have recently seen them at Joann's. LOVE this little bracelet- it's not too lose or too tight. I may add some czech glass links in between to make it a bit longer or possibly into an anklet. This bracelet is very easy to make and the charms are great! They don't feel heavy on the bracelet so you can pile quite a few on if you want a more "charm bracelet" look.

Ocean Earrings
I had some left over rectangles so I decided to make a pair of earrings to go with the bracelet. I used copper ear wires, copper head pins, 6 mm czech glass earth tones mix, and some 4 mm copper beaded spacers all from my stash. I used 2 of the glass rectangles. These are simple drop earrings and perfect to wear with jeans and a white tee shirt.

I made my own earring stand too! SUPER easy! Get a 20" piece of wire (I used 12 gauge home wiring wire and stripped it down giving me THREE pieces!), make a 90 degree bend 5" in from each end, make a loop at the ends and bend upwards. I bent my loops over so they would hold the earrings a bit better for my taste. Easy peasy earring holders/displays. If you want it to stay copper color, I recommend spraying it with a clear sealer. I didn't spray mine because I don't really care if it tarnishes.

Disclosure...As a reviewer of products at Artbeads.com, I received all beads pictured in the first photo posted above free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products...positive or negative. I am not being compensated by Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

Happy Day!

2010-06-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

I've been picked to be part of the Artbeads Design Partner Bloggers!

I'm so super excited, I can't contain myself! :)

Yes, I'm a geek.

That's all.

My new bag

2010-06-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

So, I found a really cool sew along on the {make} blog. I made a new bag for myself. I got to try out quilting and make an adjustable strap so I can wear it across my body. The blog made 2 short straps to be carried or over the shoulder. I used 19 different fabrics on it! I think I like it. Have to use it for a bit and see if it softens up because right now it's pretty stiff. Without further ado, here's my new bag!

The super long strap that I love and made out of all the different fabrics in the bag. The hardware came from strapworks. LOVE IT! I can even get the hardware in different colors and sizes!

inside the bag

back of my bag

front of my bag

Little Letter Needle Book

2010-06-02T15:19:00.000-07:00

Wandering thru blog land I came upon a tutorial for a needle book. I've been meaning to make one to hold all my random needles that are floating around my sewing box and poking my fingers. Well, this tutorial on {make} was SUPER easy to follow and made great envelopes! I didn't make them all postage style and stuff but I may make some like that eventually.

Outsides/fronts of needle books. The one on the left is mine, my sisters is in the middle, and my sister in laws is on the right.

The backsides showing the closures.

The inside of my needle envelope all loaded up with needles.

it's spring

2010-04-24T20:20:00.001-07:00

so I had to go out and cut some roses. :) that.is.all.

my first wrap skirt

2010-04-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

I have had this fabric sitting around for almost 6 months. I bought it intending to make a skirt. It was the end of a bolt so it was cheap, no clue what I paid for it, I tend to throw my receipts away to destroy the evidence of my spending. LOL

So, I wanted to sew today. I wanted to make something. I fixed my favorite pair of pirate patchwork shorts that had a hole in them. I made a hole in one of my favorite skirts trying to repair an invisible zipper (I'm gonna give it to Jess and see if she'll fix the zipper, I'll fix the hole) and put it back in the mending bin. I finished Greg's pot holders. I tried to make the neck trim on my shirt I started, gave up because it wouldn't do what I wanted it to. THEN I began the search for a skirt tutorial. I wanted to make a wrap around skirt. I needed a decent and easy to follow tutorial. Well, I found one here and it was very easy to follow. Here's the results:

Front View

Back View

I made some modifications. I used a 1/2" seam, I did 1/2" fold over and iron and then a 3/4" fold over and iron (sneaked some stitch witchery in to help keep it so I could sew) for the hem and the side edges. For the ties/top, I made a 2" bias tape with my bias tape maker and then folded it in half to make a double tape. I then put in a button hole so the tie could go thru to hold it all together. I made the ties/top 104" long since it was part of the edging on the top. I probably should have made the ties not equal length because if I tie it on the side I have one that's REALLY long and one that's shorter. But whatever. It's my first time! I think I'll try to wear it when/if it finally warms up around here! Thanks for checking out my project! Leave me some love if you want! :)

6 years

2010-03-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

I got married 6 years ago today. It seems like it hasn't been that long but I can't really remember what life was like "before Greg". Seems like we've always been together. Nothing much has changed but yet EVERYTHING has changed. We've built 3 houses, moved twice, had to put a kitty down, still have one kitty. We've gone on lots of adventures and have found new hobbies. If you had asked me 12 years ago (yep, we've been together that long) where I'd be in 2010 I would have answered that I'd be single most likely, living at the beach playing in the waves. Now, I'm glad that I don't live at the beach and play in the waves all the time. I enjoy doing that but if I didn't have my best friend with me it wouldn't be worth it! And since we don't live at the beach, when we go it's that much more special. For those of you who have known me for a long time, you know that my hubby and I met when we were in school in Monterey. We tried to find a place to buy out at the coast. It wasn't happening. Stuff was just TOO expensive. Well, we sucked it up and moved back to the small town california that he grew up in. It is here that we have made our lives. My inlaws are successful business owners in the area and hubby worked with his mom and dad for many years until the construction and real estate market crashed. Hubby then decided to go back to school to get a cooking degree. Yep, he's my chef! It's something he loves and rather than sit at home and do nothing while being unemployed, he's gone back to school. I love the fact that he cooks for me. He gets frustrated that I don't "like" all the stuff he cooks and I have to remind him that he cooks for the love of cooking and that if I try what he makes and don't like it, I am a big girl and I can make my own dinner. :) I've had my teaching job for 10 years now. Same school, same district, pretty much same grade. It's good. I enjoy our life and look forward to many many more years together! :)

taggies

2010-02-07T11:59:00.001-08:00

I made SIX taggies the other day. I can't seem to quit making them. I LOVE it! My mom's cat Carter loves them as well. I have to make one for him out of scraps I have kicking around.

Polka dots

Red Monster Fleece- I LOVE this fabric and might have to buy a yard or so of it just to have on hand. :)

Gecko fleece made for a teacher @ my mom's school.

Flowers and Flutterbys- I bought this as a remnant and LOVE it!

Flower Garden- another remnant I got. I'm a sucker for lime and flowers.

Big polka dot fleece. The "right" side is SUPER DUPER cookie monster fuzzy so I put that INSIDE. My machine does NOT like stitching over that stuff!

Crafty Saturday

2010-01-30T19:36:00.000-08:00

I spent my WHOLE day today being crafty. My craft room is a mess and I wasn't even working in there! I was working in the dining room on the pool table.

So, here's what I made today:

A reusable cup insulator in a SUPER cute turtle fabric.

Another reusable cup insulator in a teal and lime paisley kinda pattern.

I restrung a bracelet for a friend to give as a gift.

I made a "taggie" blanket as a baby shower gift for a fellow teacher.

Baby shower card for fellow teacher (goes with the taggie)

A mother's bracelet for the daughter of a fellow teacher.

A Birthday card for my brother

I also got most of another cup insulator done but ran out of felt. Guess I get to go buy some insulbright tomorrow. :) I love crafty shopping.

New Snow Hat

2010-01-18T17:02:00.000-08:00

I have this OLD snow hat I got @ J.Crew like seriously 15 years ago. It's fleece with a drawstring top so I can put my ponytail thru (when I have longer hair) and I absolutely love it. I bought 2 when I got it actually- one brick red, one black. For a long time I've wanted to make one. Well, now that I have a sewing machine and love trolling the fabric bins @ Joann's I have NO reason not to make it. So, I took my original hat and drew a pattern off of it onto a big piece of paper. I dug through my scraps and found a chunk of striped fleece. Then I traced the pattern onto my fleece and cut it out. I stitched it together once and realized that it needed to be stitched different, so I ripped out all the stitches and REDID it correctly. Then I threaded a ribbon thru the top and tied it and it's done. I really like it and will probably wear it for school tomorrow. Yes, my kids will laugh at me, do I care? Not really. I have a fancy new snow hat (with no snow but lots of rain).

The "inspiration" hat

My hat

My fancy new hat on me!

Oh yeah, I also learned how to do an overcast stitch and a blind hem on my machine AND used 2 different feet! I learned LOTS today! I started out the day making valentines, moved on to fabric coffee cup sleeves (to replace the cardboard ones from starbucks) but then Greg threw out my cup I was using (have to get another tomorrow- darn :) ) for a model. So, then I moved onto my hat. There I have ended the craft explosion of the day.

Olive Hyde Show

2009-12-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

The Olive Hyde Show/Sale is this weekend. I've entered 10 bracelets and 10 bookmarks. These are the bracelets I'm hoping to sell. Keep your fingers crossed for me! If you're in the Fremont area this weekend, pop in and check it out. I think I might try to hit it up on Saturday.

This one is ceramic flower beads, green cat eye beads, peridot and clear swarovski, and a rhodium clasp.

Rhodium butterflies, olivine glass beads, olivine and clear swarovski, sterling silver rounds, and a sterling silver heart clasp.

Glass irridescent orange fish, sun and clear swarovski, sterling rounds, and a sterling heart clasp.

Pink swirl glass beads, seed beads alternating in light and dark pink swirling around it, sterling silver clasp.

Glass beads with colorful swirls alternating with copper disc spacers, and a copper clasp.

Glass irridescent green fish, blue opal and clear swarovski, sterling rounds, and a sterling heart clasp.

Copper chain, swarovski crystals in indian sapphire and topaz, glass beads, all on copper wire wrapped head pins, random copper spacers, and a copper clasp. Fully adjustable!

swarovski hearts and crystals in siam and clear, and a sterling silver heart clasp.

Ceramic hearts, glass bronze pearls, and a copper clasp.

Swarovski lt. sapphire crystals, swarovski lt. sapphire crystals set into silver plated suns, sterling silver rounds, and a sterling silver clasp.

I made this

2009-12-01T18:59:00.000-08:00

So, this year we have a tree for the first time. It's fake, got a problem with that? I didn't think so. Anyway, my kitty seems to think it's for him to eat. Greg hears him chomping away, goes over and tells him no, the cat looks at him and meows back at him and then continues. Someone needs to get some control around these parts, guess it's gonna be me. UGH! Why do I always have to be the bad guy?

Anyway, since we have a tree, I decided we needed a tree skirt. I looked around at lots of places for the "perfect one" that wasn't TOO christmasy, too crazy, too over the top, too bright, too green, too red in the wrong shade, too well, just too..... So, I was at Joann's a week or so ago and bought some red sparkly felt. Then I came home and searched about how to make a tree skirt. I had no clue what I was doing. I mean, really, it's a circle, with a hole cut out, with some fasteners to hold it all together- how hard can that be? It was SUPER DUPER easy and FUN to make! I used a tape measure to make a 1/4 circle (after folding it in half and then half again) at 27", cut it out. Made another 1/4 circle at 2", cut it out. Cut some white sparkly felt scraps into snowflakes that were iron on adhesived using my sizzix. I cut 3 different sizes of snowflakes and then arranged them on the felt. Then I busted out the iron, ironed each one on to hold it down (and it sticks REALLY well!) To make the slit so it can go around the tree, I cut it down one of the 1/4 marks. Then I added a few denim buttons, cut button holes in the felt and closed it up. LOVE IT! I think it turned out pretty darn cute for my first attempt! :)

um yeah

2009-10-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

it's been almost 2 months. School's already been in for a quarter. Life's FLYING by. No earth shattering news to share. Nothing really note worthy. I've been hacking and coughing my lungs out for the past 3 weeks. Yep, dumped crappy kaiser for even more crappy blue cross 80/20 plan and the next day I get sick. Wonderful huh? So, anyway, it started with ear and sinus issues, moved on to only sinus issues, then it was coughing and not we're down to only coughing. Well, it would be REALLY nice if I could actually sleep at night and not hack the night way and keep the honey up too. BUT, alas, that's not to be. My house sounds like a family of sea lions have taken up residency. I wish they would leave! Anyway- that's it. Nothing fun, nothing great, nothing interesting. Sorry blog readers. I'll have to come up with something fun soon. :)

school's in

2009-08-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

So, as if my blogging wasn't infrequent enough, school is back in session and I haven't been a good blogger. Nothing of note to talk about. Just rants: insurance increases, pay decreases, kids who don't do their work, kids who won't be quiet, parents who enable their kids to be lazy and not do their work. You know, the usual. That's about it. Summer is over. I have 36 weeks of work (well, now 34.5 at this point) until summer shows up again. The time will go by VERY fast, it always does. I'll be another year older (for those who are counting, I'll be 36 in April), Greg will be one more year toward his culinary arts degree and another year older. I will have TWO nieces. That's about it. Life seems to be flying at full speed these days! I'll try to be a better blogger this school year but I can't bitch about school because who knows who will read this and I don't need to get my butt in a sling. Thanks for following along with my slice of reality. Wish I had more I could blog about but I got nothin. :)

the things that make life easier

2009-07-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

So, I have been making bags for a while. I love making them but I DETEST ironing the handles. Well, a fellow blogger Karin @ A Window Into Whimsy gave me a FABULOUS suggestion to get a bias tape maker. I had never heard of such a thing so I looked into it. There were people who made their own and I thought about trying this but didn't really want to even deal with having to measure it just right. So.... off I went in search of one I could purchase. I just happened to be at my Aunt's house and she's a big time quilter so I asked her if she had ever heard of one. Well, she went up to her sewing area and came down with one I could borrow. I played with it a bit and decided I needed to get one for myself. I planned to get a 1" one for making purse handles. THEN I remembered that somewhere I had a pair of jeans that was a bit too short in the length and I thought it would be a great idea to cut them into capri's and put some of my brand new bias tape around the hem. Well, 1/2 inch (1" folded over) wouldn't be large enough of a border so I also had to find the 2" version. I went to Joann's- they had the Dritz brand so I bought it. BUT after having researched a bit online I knew that there was a Clover brand one out there somewhere. So, I went to a different craft store, Beverly's, and found not just the 1" but also the 2" and all the smaller ones as well- I think there's a 1/2" , a 3/8" and a 1/4". I only have the larger 2. I don't anticipate on needing the smaller ones, if I do I know Bev's has them tho! So, I bought my bias tape makers and came home to use them. I was unable to find my jeans BUT I have made several bag handles with them and they come out BEAUTIFULLY!

the 1" bias tape maker

the 2" bias tape maker

my purse I made with the 2" tape maker

I think my bias tape makers and I have a VERY long and happy future together. Why did I not know about this wonderful tool before? Oh yeah, I've only been sewing for about 4 months! It makes making handles a breeze! I don't have to stand there and fold and press, and fold and press and ick! NO THANK YOU! Now I just pull the little tool along and iron as I go. The hardest thing is getting the fabric threaded into it and that's pretty darn easy! :) I'm a happy girl now!

Herold's bag

2009-07-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

Made this one for the mom of Stephanie. She bought the fabric, I just had to put it all together. It used 3 full fat quarters. :)

This is the front or back outside

The other front or back of the outside

The inside

The other side of the inside with key chain thingie

Bag for Stephanie

2009-07-14T14:14:00.001-07:00

This bag was made for a teacher friends daughter. Her school colors are purple and gold.

The outside of the bag. I LOVE this fabric!

The inside of the bag, complete with pocket and key chain holder.

The inside pocket.

99 things

2009-07-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

I found this list of 99 things you may or may not have done. Copy and paste it to your blog to share with us what you've done! If you want to enter a scrappy blog give away here's the rest: (I stumbled across Sue's blog, and she has a great giveaway going on! She has made a list of 99 things you may or may not have done, and is encouraging other bloggers to post their responses to enter into the giveaway.)
Here is mine: 34 of 99
(my "haves" are in bold italic)

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii (2 times- big island and Oahu)

5. Watched a meteor shower (perseids and leonids)

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world/Disneyland Paris (HATE that place- too many people and lines!)

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis (LOVE 'em!)

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (I've NEVER taken an art or craft class in my life!)

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables (used to with granny all the time, this year Greg and I put one in)

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight (who hasn't?)

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (yep- to go to Hawaii I took 3!)

24. Made a Snow Angel (didn't look like much of an angel)

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse (of the sun and moon, both several times)

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (sunsets daily from my backyard)

31. Stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an erupting volcano in person. (hawaii- volcano national park)

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (yep. then the market dried up)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing (castle rock state park)

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (love doing this!)

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (hawaii, belize, monterey)

52. Kissed in the rain (and the snow!)

53. Played in the mud (oh yeah, and got hosed off outside afterwards by mom)

54. Gone to a drive-in theatre (all the time when I was a little kid and once in HS and got BUSTED by my parents friends who called and ratted me out!)

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business (does etsy count?)

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Cookies for charity

62. Gone whale watching (monterey- didn't see any tho!)

63. Been given flowers for no reason (cut from my yard by my honey)

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check (accidentally - didn't know someone bounced one on me and it cascaded)

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favourite childhood toy (still have Peekyboo)

70. Visited Buckingham Palace

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt or blanket (not yet)

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Been to the top of the Empire State Building

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car (2005 Toyota Sequoia- LOVE that thing!)

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper (pink friday to protest teacher cuts)

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox (super bad ones that blistered, popped, reblistered, and repopped- it was ICK!- hemmorages (?))

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous (went to school with Kristi Yamaguchi)

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one (gramps)

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone (got one right now- LOL)

99. Been stung by a bee (several times)

2 sold!

2009-07-09T16:56:00.000-07:00

I sold my lime and brown bag (see previous post at the bottom) to a friend. :)

Then I was shopping with another friend and she asked me to make a bag for her daughter. She bought the fabric and is going to pay me for it! Watch for pictures- it's going to be pretty!

THEN today I was online and another friend (who's friends with the friend who bought my lime and brown bag) asked me to make her a swanky bag. Well, I finished it! LOVE IT! I put 3 pockets on it, my first time even attempting pockets and they're LINED! and it's got a key thingie to attach her keys to so they don't get lost in the bottom of the bag. I think I keep improving on my bags with each one I make. Soon I will be awesome at it and be more confident to make my dress that I got all cut out and have yet to put together. I probably should have been working on that today but I didn't want to- I wanted to do something I knew how to do. And here it is:

Bags and more Bags

2009-06-30T09:15:00.001-07:00

I've been experimenting with different stuff in my bags. Here I've made 3 that have magnetic closures. I think I like this idea. The second one down is just a single strap for over the shoulder or carrying at your side. It's a pretty big size perfect for packing for the beach or pool. The next ones I'm going to make will have wooden handles. We'll see. I also want to make some with pockets and key holders. Now, I need ideas for pricing. Help!!!! Thanks for popping by my bloggy place. :)

Blue and Yellow Bag

Pink Flowers Bag

Lime and Brown Bag

blog revamp

2009-06-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

Alright- I redid the background on this blog. All I need to do now is make a new header. How do people come up with ideas for headers? I want to use pictures but can't for whatever reason get it to size correctly. It's frustrating.

Oh well. Greg's mom bought some white pants the other day that she wanted me to sew the pockets shut on and remove the extra fabric. Apparently the pockets are too long for her preference and they are visible thru the leg of the pants. So... I told her I'd TRY to do but I wasn't too sure of my skills with the sewing machine. Well, I sat down last night, ran some white thread for a bobbin, and tried it. It didn't end well so I ripped out the seam. Greg asked me what the problem was and when I told him the fabric bunched up when I was trying to sew it because it was kinda in the seam. He said it didn't seem to be such a difficult thing to do and went in there AND DID IT NO PROBLEM! WTF? How does he do this? He said I can take credit for it but there's NO WAY I'm going to do that- he did it. I'm proud of him. Hopefully, when I make my dress for his sister's wedding he can save me when I get stuck and frustrated on it.

Summer vacation is here! I've made 3 bags and several pieces of jewelry. I made my necklace and earrings for greg's sister's wedding. I love the crystal starfish pendant so I made it around that. Here ya go for your viewing pleasure:

I've also been busy making cards- I made 3 graduation cards, 2 father's day cards, and a birthday card. I've been totally LOVING the tri-shutter card tutorial. It's getting easier to make and everyone LOVES the final outcome. :) I'll post pictures later.

I got a Blog Award!

2009-06-18T20:47:00.001-07:00

The rules for this award are.......

* post 10 honest things about yourself and post the award on your blog.
* give this award to some people who follow your blog.

10 honest things about me:
----------
1.) I wake up at the crack of dawn even on the weekends! It gets a bit old during summer vacation.

2.) I don't eat raw fish but love to go out to sushi.

3.) Spiders FREAK me out. I can deal with snakes, crickets, praying mantises, and pretty much everything else but give me something with 8 legs and it's over!

4.) I sucked at math in school (we're talking C/D student) and now I teach math to junior high kids. Yes, they learn. :)

5.) I know how to give fluids to a cat- done it for 2 kitties now.

6.) I wear guy jeans because they fit better than girl jeans. My favorite ones are the ultra low boot fit from Gap.

7.) I hate shoes. I love being barefoot.

8.) I love making jewelry and can spend full days sitting in one spot being creative.

9.) If "grilled cheese" is on a menu I will order it. I started taking pictures of all the grilled cheese sandwiches I ordered to make a grilled cheese blog but gave that up because I kept forgetting my camera at home.

10.) I just got a killer sewing machine that I love to use and have made a bunch of bags to "sell on my etsy" but haven't gotten around to posting any of them for sale. The same goes for my jewelry- I have TONS of it to sell.

I'm giving this award to:
Changes in Latitudes
Leslie
Tracy
Black Hockey Jesus

Enjoy! Leave me a comment to let me know you played along!

More crafty stuff

2009-06-04T12:44:00.001-07:00

So, this summer will be the summer of crafts I think. I made 2 more bags and a birthday card and a graduation card!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this green bag. I don't think I'm going to try to sell this one- might have to keep it for myself! :)

Kylie's first birthday card.

This card is for an ex-student who moved to Idaho.

New stuff I made

2009-05-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

So, I made this great anklet out of some fish beads I loved and bought but didn't know what to do with. It's made from glass fish in alexandrite AB and wire wrapped with sterling silver wire. The clasp is just a lobster claw that hooks into a rope looking ring. It's super light weight and I don't even realize I have it on! Alexandrite is pretty cool too- it changes between blue and purple based on the lighting.

I also made a tote bag for Kylie's 1st birthday. I know- she's one and doesn't need a tote but I got her some SUPER cute books and wanted to put them into something and the fabric I got was ADORABLE so I had to make it. Hopefully it'll be around for a while to come. I envision her using it for dance class with her ballet shoes in it. Like the other bags I've made it's reversible.

I have more fabric to make more bags with but the next ones are going to have to wait until I get more pelon. I think I'm going to add a ribbon to tie it closed at the top. It would be able to work even if the fabric gets flipped inside out too! Version 2.0 of the Tiffany bag. Not like others haven't already come up with this idea. Whatever. :)

my adventures with my sewing machine

2009-05-02T14:13:00.001-07:00

So, for my Birthday (not really but kinda) Greg and I got a sewing machine. I've wanted one for a while and my mom always gives me birthday money with a note enclosed that says "for your sewing machine". Well, we bit the bullet and bought a sewing machine at Joann's. Knowing the Husqvarna/Viking is a good company we bought the Emerald 118 on sale and got the floor model. Well, the first day I got frustrated with it because I couldn't get the stupid bobbin to thread correctly. I think I have since figured out what I was doing wrong.

So, the machine pissed me off. I left it for a while. Came home from work on day to find GREG at the sewing machine! Yes, my husband sews! I can admit and loudly and proudly! LOL He has made shorts out of a few pairs of his jeans that the knees ripped out in. I still can't figure out why he doesn't like jeans with holes in the knees- I love mine! Greg has a SUPER old leather jacket that he was using for his motorcycle jacket. Well, the zipper in it got all jacked-up and he gave it to Jess to fix. She didn't get around to it so he got it back on Easter and put in his own zipper. Have I already said how proud I am of him? Anyway, up until yesterday he was the only one who had done any real sewing on MY machine.

Now, Jessica makes some GORGEOUS bags and stuff so I was kinda inspired by her to make something. Anything- I just wanted to play with my machine! Well, I was watching "uncommon threads" on my DVR last weekend and they did a thing where someone made a bag out of a patchwork called a crazy quilt pattern. Basically I took that idea and made my own idea for a bag. It brewed for a few days until I figured out that I would use quilters fat quarters and make it a reversible bag. No pattern. Just gonna make it. So, I went to Beverly's and found some really pretty quarters (had to pick up some thread for Greg to work on his jeans shorts with). THEN, realizing how thin the fabric is and how flimsy the bags would be I went to Joann (of course I had to go there for *something* else!) and got some thread and pellon iron on. AND I found some REALLY cute BRIGHT fabrics to make bags out of. At this point I was a bit scared that my bag idea would be an epic failure but I was going to try it anyway. I mean, now I had stuff to make FOUR bags with! OMG!!!! I was starting to get a bit scared.

Well, on Thursday this past week, I had my fabric at school showing it to another teacher and one of my girls was in the room packing up her stuff for lunch while I was showing it to her. Apparently this student of mine sews. She asked me what I was going to make with it. When I told her I was going to make a bag without a pattern. She looked right at me and said, "Oh- well, good luck with that- I think it might be a disaster." I told her I'd bring whatever it is it turns out as to work with me on Monday to show her- good or bad.

Friday, after I got home from school, I set out to brave the machine (that I had not used up to this point to do anything other than random stitches on cut off jean leg scrap) that was intimidating me. I washed and dried and ironed all 8 pieces of fabric I had bought. Then- I cut 2 pieces of the fabric into 3 matching parts- 2 straps, 1 bag piece. I ironed on the pellon to all the pieces. I stitched the bag part and even made the corners squared/triangled (whatever it's called to make a box so the bag can stand up on it's own). I sewed the straps with one fabric on one side and the other on the other side. Turning those straps SUCKED! They were super thick and stiff from the pellon. Then I top stitched the straps to keep them flat (yep, I do know SOME things about sewing from watching TV). I put one bag inside the other and then put the staps in and pinned it all together and top stitched around the top edge of the bag and it was done! Yep, I made my first reversible bag! AND it didn't look too horrible. I wasn't happy with the straps- they were too thick. BUT I had braved the machine and made something finally!

Then this morning I did more thinking and realized that I didn't need to put pellon in the straps and I could make them a bit thinner. So, I made another one today. I LOVE this bag! Think I might have to make it my purse or something. It's tooo cute!

So, now I'm out of pellon and need to get more but we're not going to "town" until tomorrow. UGH! I'm feelin' all crafty and stuff and don't have anything to be crafty with. ARGH!!!! :) Oh yeah- did I forget to mention that they're REVERSIBLE???? I might have found a new addiction (it's actually cheaper than scrapbooking!) and will be probably selling these on my etsy before long because I don't need millions of bags!

sephora

2009-04-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

So, I got the scoop from someone- can't remember who- that sephora has a b-day gift for ya 2 weeks before the day and 2 weeks after. I went in on Sunday and told them that I got an email (you have to sign up to be an "insider") that I could pick up my b-day gift. The super nice cashier handed over 3 lip glosses! LOVE IT! So, girls- go sign up! Who doesn't love free lip gloss?

WTH???

2009-04-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

BLOGGER! WHERE DID ALL MY BLOGS I WAS FOLLOWING GO???????? This sucks! Anyone who I was following- or knew I was following- PLEASE pop me a comment and I'll re-add! Grrrrr!!!!!

UPDATE: Apparently being mean to blogger brings back the followings. Whatever- I'm happy- I can follow along again! :)

nothing much

2009-03-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

So, I'm bad at blogging. I'll say it now, I've said it before. I suck at blogging :)

Aside from that, nothing's really going on. I've been loving the warmer weather and counting down the days until school's out- we're down to 38 after Monday! Stupid state testing starts April 7. HATE IT!

Can't wait to get out on the lake and get some sun on my poor winter white skin. My roses are all budded out ready to pop, my tulips are coming up. Greg put in a veggie garden (almost- planted seeds and waiting for them to sprout). That's it. Nothing exciting at all in these parts.

Later. :)

I love my cat

2009-02-01T19:57:00.000-08:00

Ok- so Mr. is SLIGHTLY neurotic. Just watch this video- he follows me to the bathroom all the time, gives me headbutts while I go, then after I flush this is what ensues (no, there's nothing in the toilet- go ahead, click play!) Make sure the volume is turned up for the full effect.

Pretzles and Chacos

2009-01-24T09:19:00.001-08:00

Two of my favorite things in the world in the same day? Could it be? I came home from work to find Greg making me soft pretzels. No, not the kind you get at the grocery store. The kind that come from a bag of flour and love. They are SO super yummy! He put garlic salt and parmesean on them and OMG! To die for! Of course I had to have one before we could go. Hot and fresh from the oven. Is there anything better? Ok, well, maybe fresh gelato in Italy but I haven't experienced that yet. I plan to find out one day.

After we enjoyed our pretzels we went to a Stockton thunder hockey game. Got free tickets from school so we had to go- cheap? Heck yes we're going! So, we decided to go out to eat before the game. We went to BJ's and I had a stupid panic attack. I know, totally lame. BUT I got over it with a little help from my xanax (bad, bad, bad) and was able to eat a little bit of my delish soup. After we left we had a bit of time to kill so we walked over to REI. Yes, we are poor and trying to save money BUT they had 50% off their clearance prices! I HAD to go in and look! Of course I head straight up the stairs to the shoes (what girl doesn't?) and promptly find a pair of chaco's. Yes, it's january and been raining for 3 days, BUT I MUST BUY CHACO'S when I find them on sale. I found a pair of green ones, we're talking the prefect shade of green. They were originally $95 marked down to $44 and then 50% off of that! How could I pass that up???? THEN I found a pair of brown ones like the blue ones I have worn for the past 4 years. Those were also marked $44 but when I got to the register they weren't half off. So, I left with ONE pair of GORGEOUS green chacos for $25. I wanted to put them on right then and there but knew I'd freeze my little toes off at the hockey game. SO this morning bright and early I popped out of bed and adjusted them to my feet and have them on right now. I LOVE THEM!

Day After Christmas Adventures.....

2008-12-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

So, we're in San Diego (until the 29th) visiting with Greg's sister (Kristi) and her fiance (Trevor) (they're getting married in October 2009). We decided christmas night to get up early the day after and go to a casino out in Temecula (Pechanga to be exact) and then wine tasting. There was a poker tournament at 10 so we left at 8:30. Got there in plenty of time to register and then Kristi and I found a black jack table to spend some time at. The guys went up to play poker and we each sat down at a $10 table with $100. Kristi got her butt handed to her pretty quick and was down to $40 or so left within 6 hands. Yes, I did say 6- she didn't win a single hand. I was doing ok- I think I was down to about $70 or so. THEN 2 spots opened up at the $5 table next to us. We jumped tables and started play there. Kristi didn't fare so well there- she was broke by 11. I was up and down. At one point I had my $100 back plus $40 and was going to walk away when I got back down to $100- BUT then I had to double down which took some of my money out of the $100 and it just went downhill from there. Trevor got busted out of the poker game shortly after she lost her money at the table. I lost all my money but walked away with 7 $.50 pieces- I keep them while I'm playing so I know how many blackjacks I got- so, I got 7 and still walked away piss poor! After I busted out I went to find Greg and see if he was still in. Well, he busted out of the poker game too just about the same time I was broke. We TOTALLY suck!

After casino time came lunch and wine time. We went out to Ponte Winery out in the middle of NOWHERE and had a grubbin lunch- I got a pizza and it was DELISH! I love pizza anyway but this one was REALLY good. Then we went in to taste wines. I'm always the designated because I don't really like wine much. So, we get up to the bar to taste and it was $12 for 6 tasters. Not too bad. Trevor thought he kept getting gyped on the pours- no clue why- but I started watching and sure enough he was getting screwed. It was pretty funny. After Ponte we went to South Coast Winery- it's supposed to be the best winery in all of CA- OMG! I don't know what standard they used to determine that crap. It sucked. It was $12 for only 5 tasters and their wine was not that good (yes, I did take a sip here and there). We finished up there and they wanted more wine so we went to La Cereza where they had tasters $10 for 6 or $15 for 6 there and 6 at another. I told my drunkards this and they didn't hear me- apparently they all had alcohol ears by this point. Here they at least offered the DD (Dumb Driver) a bottle of water. So, I'm sitting there drinking my water and they're getting more and more trashed. Conversations were happening WAY too loud that should NEVER take place outside the home! We finished there and then went to "just one more" , Maurice Car'rie and it was $10 for 6 there also. We could have saved $5 per person (that's $15 total) had we just bought the 2 winery thing. OMG! So, by this point I'm pretty bored- they're pretty trashed and I'm ready to head out. I enjoy wine tasting for a few hours but after that I'm bored off my butt.

We headed back to LaJolla for Sushi on the Rock. I was driving, at night, in a town I don't know, in the dark (I have BAD night vision), and people DO NOT know how to drive down here! OMG! I almost ran people off the road- why do people not drive 85? We do in northern CA! So, we get to sushi. I had a freakin' panic attack! No idea why- PISSED ME off more than anything else. We had dinner, they got drunker, confessions were made (not sure I want to put them here just yet, I'm still processing), people cried (not me!), restaurant patrons stared at us. All in all it was pretty funny looking back on it.

So, I drove my trashed charges home. Greg crashes out, Trevor is in the bathroom yakking, Greg gets out of bed to yak and doesn't make it so he sprays his sister's walls and floors, she's trashed and cleans it up while yelling at Trevor to get out of the bathroom (not knowing he was yakking), all the while I'm laying in bed laughing my butt off. It really was funny. Is it wrong that I have no compassion for people who are drunk? I mean, really, they do it to themselves- why should I clean up after them? I chose not to get all trashed.

So, now it's almost 10 on saturday and the drunk boys are sleeping off the hang overs. I need to get a shower because we're going to go out to the Taco Shop and have some amazing mexican food- at least that's what I've been told.

Fun times in San Diego that's for sure!

quite possibly the best song EVER!

2008-12-21T19:02:00.000-08:00

I did it!

2008-12-14T18:31:00.000-08:00

So, I woke up this morning and decided that if I was going to chop my hair that today was just as good a day as any other. I lovingly washed and combed out my super long tresses.

Then we drove to Sacramento for Jimmy to do the deed. He was a bit nervous because I didn't really give him a lot in terms of what I wanted him to do. Basically, it was "well, I don't want side bangs, not a fan of layers, it naturally flips out on one side so do what you can with it" After putting my hair into 4 pony tails (Greg said, "Why don't you wear your hair like that more often?" My answer, "Because I'm not 5 years old!") and braiding them Jimmy got out the shears and I didn't even flinch. The girl at the next station over just (we're talking like 3 days before) got her license so she was crazy nervous for me. I just sat there calmly and listened as he buzzed off my braids. It went pretty quick and after the first braid was off I knew there was NO turning back! I ended up with 13 1/2 inches to donate to Locks of Love

After he cleaned it up a bit and evened it out- which took FOREVER- he spritzed some shine stuff on it and sent me on my way. I LOVE it! We walked thru the mall and I kept shaking my hair around because it's so crazy bouncy!

That's about it. Tomorrow I'll get the response from my kiddos at work- we'll see how that goes! LOL

In need of a haircut!

2008-12-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

Ok- So my hair is pretty long- we're talking like past the middle of my back. I'm going to chop it and donate it to "locks of love" but I'm not sure how I want to cut it. Anyone have suggestions? I'm tempted to go up to "Ben" - the guy who cuts my hair normally and have him "do whatever" to it. My parameters are no coloring, easy to take care of, drip dry. I'm sure I'll end up with a bob of some sort but I need suggestions for fun and easy hair cuts. HELP!!!!

Olive Hyde Show

2008-12-01T17:43:00.001-08:00

This is the flyer for the Craft Show I've entered into. My dad will be selling some wood stuff too! Check it out if you're in the area!

I think my dad will be taking my stuff (more bracelets, necklaces, earrings, cell phone charms, and bookmarks) to the craft show in Hayward the weekend of Dec. 13 and 14. I'll find out more about that and post later.

so, I suck at blogging!

2008-12-01T17:41:00.000-08:00

Update on the wells fargo crap- I went to the one in Jackson fully intending on closing my acct. and going onto Gregs- It's not like I write many checks- I just need an ATM card to do my damages! So, I get there and the acct. guy was SUPER nice- he hooked me up with a free checking since it falls under the umbrella of Greg's acct. or something like that. So, I have a free acct. and the IDIOT on the phone is a total LAME person who should be fired!

3rd and final post of the day today

2008-11-10T19:58:00.000-08:00

I have to vent about Wells Fargo and their crappy customer service and how I am just about fed up with federal institutions and their money management. I just got done chewing out the bank for a $25 service charge on an acct, which I was told would NOT have a service charge since we have 2 equity lines thru them and I haven't been charged a service charge for the past 4 months (since I changed my acct. over to this one) and then all of the sudden I get hit with $25!!! WTH? No email notification, no posting to my online banking site, nothing. The lame idiot on the phone told me that it was disclosed to me when I set up the acct. and that it probably wasn't getting charged because they gave me a "grace period" to make sure the acct. was set up correctly and that the fee cannot be reversed. Well, no it was NOT disclosed to me at the time, I even asked many times if I had to keep a minimum in my acct. or if there were any fees associated with it. The PMA lady told me that there was no minimum requirement since we have 2 equity lines. So, the stupid guy said that I can change my acct. to one where I have $75 each month transferred to my savings acct and avoid the service charge. I told him that was unacceptable. Then the guy tells me that if I keep $25,000 in my acct. the fee is waived. I almost fell out of my seat laughing at that one! He then told me that if I tied one of our equity lines to it that the fees would be waived but the only one that we owe money on is tied to Greg's acct and the other we don't owe anything on isn't able to be tied to an acct. since there's no balance owed! Again, I say WTH? I was SO supremely pissed off at this point that I asked not once but TWICE to speak with the supervisor. Finally the super came online and told me that my options were to have a transfer of $25 a month to my savings to avoid a service charge. I call him on this one since the other guy told me $75. Apparently there are 2 different accts. WHATEVER! Then he told me that I could have the fee waived with $100/mo direct deposit. Not a problem BUT I only get paid for 10 months so I'd be paying fees for 2 months! SOOOOO DAMN STUPID!!!!! I finally hung up on the guy after he told me that he couldn't reverse the service fee either.

So, on Wednesday, after I deal with children all day, I'll be going to the bank to close my acct. I refuse to pay money to have a stinkin checking acct! Greg told me that we'll just combine our accts. Really all I use mine for is to pay my visa and costco runs. I end up transferring all my money that goes into the acct. to the equity line. Rarely do I have anything over $100 in my checking anyway. BUT STILL! WELLS FARGO CAN KISS IT! I used to work for them and they were WAY better than the service I received today! I even got cranky and talked to the supervisor who told me a DIFFERENT thing than the guy I was talking to. WHATEVER! I'm closing my acct and getting the money refunded. The support guy AND the supervisor told me that they cannot reverse the service fee! WTH? I'll get that reversed. KISS MY BUTT WELLS FARGO!

Ok- now I feel better. Thanks for listening to my rant. I'm sure it's not the end of it! NO ONE comes between me and my $$!!

2 posts in one day???

2008-11-10T15:56:00.001-08:00

So, I decided on taking pictures of my stuff to upload to etsy and get that rolling along. Well, easier said than done! I tried taking them outside but all the backgrounds were too busy. Then I tried just laying them on a cloth and projecting light at them but that didn't work either. So, I searched around the web for ideas and then it hit me! Use a file folder crate insert thing as the frame and cover it with a white fabric and shine light in on the sides and top. I did it and I think it worked OK. I need to get some real white fabric, the stuff I used was a silver lame table cloth so it was a bit too opaque. BUT I think I've found something that will work for me! YAY!

ah... blissful day off

2008-11-10T11:15:00.000-08:00

I'm on day 3 of a 4 day vacation. Gotta love a double weekend! No students, no issues, no drama for 4 whole days!

I'm trying to figure out how to fill the remainder of my weekend. Saturday we got beer making stuff, wandered Stoneridge Mall, had a great dinner w/my sis and parents and grandparents for her b-day. Sunday we went grocery shopping and then home where Greg cooked the day away making beer, soy nut brittle (which turned out better than the previous batch that had cayenne pepper and cinnamon in it), and fried rice for dinner. I got to be all crafty and stuff while he was doing that and finished up a pair of earrings for a teacher at school and a set of wedding pillows I've had hanging over my head for about 4 months. I then got to play around on the computer until the Kings game started at 6. I crashed out under my blanket with my sweetness Mr. Kitty in the Lazy Boy Recliner during the 3rd quarter and woke up to find King of the Hill on and the news that the Kings actually beat the Warriors by like 20 points! Stayed up for Family Guy and American Dad and then hauled my sorry but to bed.

Woke up this morning and got caught up on my crafty TV shows while Greg slept. Finally crawled out of bed at 8:30 to pill the cat and get a shower. Since then the cat's been fed raw meat since he won't eat ANYTHING other than baby food (how he gets his pill) and raw beef/steak. We tried broiled chicken that's been pureed to be like babyfood but he STILL won't eat it! I don't know what we're going to do with him. He needs to eat but doesn't want to. Anyway, Greg's making stew for us today for dinner- I love that he cooks! After that I'm at a loss of what to do. I could do in and finish cleaning up my mess of a scrap room, I could take pictures of my stuff and get them up on my etsy site that currently has NOTHING on it and I need to get some money coming in on it, I could waste time on the computer (been doing that all morning already), or I could be productive and get my power points done for school this week. Nothing sounds like much fun to me. I need some excitement in my life at the moment. Tomorrow promises to be just as fun filled I fear. :)

So- that's my rant. I need to find something fun to do!

OMG! My life.......

2008-10-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

ok for my life at the moment- be forwarned- it's SUPER LONG and rambling:

Yesterday I left the house for work at 7:00 AM (it was still dark out here), taught all day, and then had to deal with the "fall festival" until 8:30 last night. Well, I was knee high in science notes that I was trying to get graded and trying to figure out how the heck I was going to run 3 booths at the festival all at the same time when I looked up and saw 3 of my ex-students (now seniors in HS) standing there asking me if I needed help. OMG! I jumped up and hugged them! They needed hours for CSF (California Scholarship Federation) and I needed people to work. They couldn't have come at a better time! So, I walked them over the one of the 3 booths I was in charge of and put them in charge. It was the dessert booth (and I know they LOVE desserts- but they're so super skinny!). Then 2 more of their friends showed up and I put them to work there as well. As I was walking out I realized that one of the parents (super involved at the school) was running my BINGO booth for me (SCORE!) and the TPC membership booth still needed someone. At that moment 2 more of my ex-students came up looking for something to do for hours too- well, they got stuck at the membership booth all night. So, back I went to my classroom to get some of those stupid notebooks graded and just as I was finishing up with the 1st period notes I realized that it was almost 4:30 and I had to get out there and there was no way for me to finish grading notes and I refuse to bring them home. SO, I had a shot of GENIUS! I remembered that we're going to be on a field trip for 2nd and 3rd periods on Monday and that I wasn't going to do science on Monday with 4th period, we're going to do math instead since we need to keep on pace. SO, I got out of grading those, they're still sitting on my desk waiting for me to do on Monday during prep. Out I went to the fall festival. It went awesome, my class made a buttload of $$. At the end of the night we had parent drama with one who was upset about being referred to as a "mommy" (NOT BY ME THANK GOD!)- I see nothing wrong with this but evidently she didn't like being referred to as a mommy in the statement "I'd like to thank all the mommies and daddies who helped us out tonite for all their hard work"- SHE WAS BEING THANKED! OMG! So, talked to the principal about that one so he's not blindsided by it later. Then I walked out to get in my car, by then it's about 8:45 or so. Hit the unlock and it unlocks, jump in DYING to go home, turn the key and NOTHING. No clicks, no nothing. Dome lights were on but dim, headlights were a no go. So, I'm thinking my battery is dead and I just need a jump to get home. I go in search of a pair of jumper cables (mine were stolen when my car was broken into AT SCHOOL last year and I haven't yet replaced them)- one of the dad's ran home and got his out of his barn (yes, he said they were in the barn!) and came back to try to give me a jump. Well, after 10 min of trying we gave up and I called AAA. I told them that I would probably need to be towed home (26 miles away) and that I have 100 mile towing on my car (THANK GOD!) but that I didn't have my card with me. They were able to look up my number and get me all hooked up. My principal was getting ready to leave and decided that he'd wait with me for the tow truck to show up. I called DH and he said he'd come down and get me since he didn't want to have me riding w/a skeevy driver :lol: but he was 35 min away! So, the tow truck showed up at like 9:15 and asked if I wanted to try to jump it again just to be sure. He hooked it up and I tried and it started! STOKED! Called up DH to tell him I was all good and on my way home but he was only 10 min away by that point so he came the rest of the way to school to follow me home. On the way home, my ABS light came on, then my batter light came on, then my radio kept turning on and off, when I'd turn on my brights the radio would shut off and come back on. Crazy electrical stuff going on there! So, I get home at like 10:15 (I usually crash out around 9ish) and I'm EXHAUSED but I have to pay back DH for being my knight in shining armor! So, then this morning he went out and hooked up the trickle charger and after leaving it ALL DAY the battery still wouldn't start the car. I think I need to get a new battery tomorrow!

Meyers-Briggs Personality Test

2008-10-06T19:31:00.001-07:00

So, I took the Meyers-Briggs personality test again- I like to do this from time to time.
Here are the results:

ISTJ - "Trustee". Decisiveness in practical affairs. Guardian of time- honored institutions. Dependable. 11.6% of total population.

Take Free Myers-Briggs Personality Test

Introverted (I) 51.52% Extroverted (E) 48.48%
Sensing (S) 58.82% Intuitive (N) 41.18%
Thinking (T) 52.78% Feeling (F) 47.22%
Judging (J) 56.41% Perceiving (P) 43.59%

I think I've changed since I was in collge- I used to be XNFJ. Interesting huh?

I got in!

2008-09-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

So, I just got word today that I got accepted for selling at the Olive Hyde Holiday Craft Fair. It's a juried show so I had to pass a judging. Thanks to my dad for taking my stuff for me since I was playing designated driver for a brewfest yesterday. I'll post more after I find out what's going to be sold and all that jazz. Super happy about it tho! I'm making $$ off my hobby! What's not to love about that?

Simon's Cat

2008-09-20T21:03:00.001-07:00

This is the BEST cartoon EVER!

Check out youtube for other Simon's Cat video's!

my cat is insane!

2008-08-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

Make sure the volume is on and turned up! Be sure to watch all the way to the end.

He does this EVERY MORNING! Never a dull moment around here!

I gotta love Paris for this one!

2008-08-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

My Mister Kitty!

2008-08-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

He was a bit thirsty. Make sure the sound is turned on.

Greg's Bread

2008-08-04T17:31:00.000-07:00

Greg made some really GREAT artesian bread last night for dinner. It's a beautiful loaf with a split top and crinkled surface and SUPER yummy! Tonite we're having it as grilled cheese. This morning we had it as toast. I have to say I think this is probably my most favorite crusty bread. YUM!

Am I a bad american?

2008-07-31T07:44:00.001-07:00

Got this from my mommy- it's pretty darn good and speaks to how I feel!

YES, I'M A BAD AMERICAN

I Am the Liberal-Progressives Worst Nightmare. I am an American.

I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some Liberal governmental functionary be it Democratic or Republican!

I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way!

I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer, it makes you a smart American.

I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything.

I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac, do it in English.

I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to..

My heroes are John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and whoever canceled Jerry Springer.

I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.

I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it.

I've never owned a slave, or was a slave, I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks and neither have you!

So, shut up already.

I believe if you don't like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and change your own country!

This is AMERICA

If you were born here and don't like it you are free to move to any Socialist country that will have you.

I want to know which church is it exactly where the Reverend Jesse Jackson preaches, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution.

Can I get an AMEN on that one?

I also think the cops have the right to pull you over if you're breaking the law, regardless of what color you are.

And, no, I don't mind having my face shown on my drivers license.

I think it's good.... And I'm proud that 'God' is written on my money.image013.gif

I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.

I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making 'donations' to their cause.

I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents.

I believe 'illegal ' is illegal no matter what the lawyers think.

I believe the American flag should be the only one allowed in AMERICA !

If this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American.

Movies from Camping (AKA "Fork Art")

2008-07-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Camping Update

2008-07-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

So, I survived the camping experience. We actually had FLUSH toilets so I survived the toilet issue. I did not however, get to take a shower until we got home tonite! It was one of the best showers of my life! OMG! Here are pictures of our trip. I posted them at flickr because it takes so long to upload to blogger (and I have 32 of them)- ENJOY!

We kayaked everyday, I read an entire book, got to eat marshmallows and hotdogs cooked over an open fire and cereal straight from the box. Roger and June camped with us Wednesday night and left Thursday night because their air mattress went flat and they ended up in the middle of it for most of the night. It's a good thing they left because our camp was visited by a bear last night. It got into our ice chest (which was RIGHT next to their tent) and ate my cheese, yogurt, hot dogs, and left over burgers. He pulled a full half gallon of Lactose Free milk out of the ice and tore it open and dumped it all over where Roger and June's tent was. At least he won't get sick from the lactose in milk! LOL He didn't like the butter so much nor my peaches, onions, or limes. Strange bear. He also didn't mess with the eggs which were in the top bin and sausages which were underneat the top bin. He did puncture my rubbermaid container (I could kill him for that) but left the snapware, containing carrots and celery, alone for some reason. We had all kinds of canned and bagged foods in the Sequoia with us and he didn't mess with us at all. The camp host said that a truck in the same campground had their door ripped off because they had an ice chest inside. Guess we got lucky!

Greg caught a fish on Tuesday afternoon from his kayak. He said he had 2 more but they got off the hook as he was trying to get them into the kayak. Roger went and got him a net and he used it Wednesday and today but didn't get any that were big enough to eat. Yesterday he got a 6" one and let it go because it was too small. Today he got one and it got away as he was trying to get his net around. He'll figure out how to kayak fish eventually- then we'll feast on trout!

I had a good trip but it's GREAT to be home! Mr. Kitty missed us and told us all about his adventures when we got him. He was quite unhappy with the fact that we'd been gone for 3 days!

Going camping

2008-07-22T10:50:00.000-07:00

I don't particularly care for camping, don't know if it's knowing that I won't get to shower and wash my hair (which is long) or if it's the lack of a flushing toilet and having to share the pit toilet/outhouse with various bugs and spiders or if it's the fact that I won't get to sleep in my comfy bed. It's probably all of that and more. So, we're off to camp for 3 days. Greg wanted more and I wanted less so we compromised at 2 and maybe 3 days. I will get to kayak daily which I haven't done in at least a year and I'll get in lots of reading time. Greg and I took the full size mattress from the spare bedroom and put it in the back of the sequoia (after we took out the back row of seats and flipped the middle ones up) and it fit AMAZINGLY well. At least I won't be sleeping on the ground in the dirt in a tent.

I like to think I'm not high maintenance. I don't wear makeup. I rarely ever do anything more than wash, condition, and comb my hair. I don't wear girly clothes that I'm afraid to get dirt on or ruin. I don't require expensive meals. I don't particularly like going out to dinner. BUT I'm beginning to think I'm a bit more than low maintenance. I like what I call my creature comforts- a hot shower daily, a flushing toilet, my computer, my TV, my craft room, and my cell phone. Is that too much to ask? So, off we go camping. I'm taking my camera and the water housing so maybe I'll find some fun stuff to take pictures of. Gotta remember to pack the sunscreen! No more burns for me this year.

Random Web Wandering

2008-07-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

Today I was randomly roaming the web (as I tend to do since I can't stay on a topic for very long) and I came across a few really cool pages! One of them is Sally Jean's Think Pad page- the girl is AMAZING and truly an inspiration to me. The jewelery and stuff she makes is beautiful and very vintagey, which has an appeal to me eventho I like to have bright and blingy stuff too. The other belongs to a great gal in the UK named Vicki, she blogs at A Work in Progress and she does some really cool digiscrappy stuff. Her designs are gorgeous and they're a free download! Watch for her- she's going to be an up and coming new artist. Makes me want to get into digi just to use her things! Oh the inspiration I have. I hate that I can't just stay on topic and do one thing. I seem to have to try out everything that's out there and then acquire stuff to do it all. My dad and I want to start making my own glass beads too. Yet ANOTHER thing for me to play with. One day I'll be rich and won't have to work and then I can play all day at my crafty stuff and have fun. Right now I'm wondering how I'll ever get anything done that's crafty when school starts again (in a MONTH!) since I spend most of my day playing with my crafty toys. Yes, I do use all of the crafty toys that I own! Now, I'm off to figure out dinner!

ok- so

2008-06-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

I pretty much suck at this blogging thing. I'm trying to get the hang of it but will skip out on it for months at a time. I guess there's really nothing to terribly exciting going on in my life right now that I want to blog about. I have been posting on scrapbook.com discussion boards but not posting topics/questions. I know blah, blah, blah boring old stuff. If you want updates click on the links in the places you can find me.

2008-04-03T21:22:00.001-07:00

This is my blingy necklace- it's sterling diamond chain, rhodium plated clasp and squares, circles, and chain. I used black diamond (?) swarovski and swarovski gray pearls with a swarovski graphic polygon and swarovski square. The wrap in the middle is a small swarovski pearl on sterling chain. Earrings soon to follow as soon as I get the beads for them.

Saw this jellyfish pendant and had to have it.

So, I made this necklace with my ultra cool pendant. It's got microsuede cording with
sterling wire wraps and sterling beads. The clasp is rhodium. Silver wire wrapped beads
are glass, swarovski pearls, swarovski round and czech glass, chain is sterling.
I LOVE wearing this necklace- it makes me smile. 8o)

2008-02-23T11:48:00.000-08:00

cemetery on the way to Oakdale on twenty-six mile (milton) road.
my sweet mr. sleeping on the bed in my scrappy room
can you guess?
valentine rice krispy treat from my honey.

christmas & boxing day

2007-12-26T20:34:00.000-08:00

This one is from Christmas Day- it's a bracelet that I took apart and changed around for my mom. I took apart another bracelet for the beads that I used on this one. The original beads were amber, teal, lime, and black. Didn't really work for her. I spent most of Christmas Day beading at my parents place. Not to complain- it's something I really love doing so I enjoyed myself. I think Greg might have been a bit bored at times but I had fun being with my family.

This is for Boxing Day (British thing). One of my neighbors goes a little overboard when it comes to Christmas lights! I really enjoy going by this place every year- it makes me smile. Off to the right (not in the picture) are about 5 different blow-up things. CRAZY amount of electricity being used here! Hate to have their bill- ours is high enough.

christmas eve post

2007-12-24T15:51:00.000-08:00

How can cats do this?

2 days before christmas

2007-12-23T19:07:00.001-08:00

Dec.23

Today marks one year since my grandfather died. This post is for him.

forever catching up

2007-12-22T12:02:00.000-08:00

Dec. 20

This is a bracelet that will ultimately end up in the Philipines. Just finished making it and had to get it in the mail so it would be ready to be taken overseas on the 29th.

Dec. 21

Why do cats love boxes? For some reason Mr. loves to lay in empty boxes and bags. He got all excited when I was emptying this one out so I had to put it down for him to sleep in.

Dec.22

My darling hubby spent a few hours today washing the exterior of the house with a red colored cement stain. I think it turned out pretty nice. He said he's going to do the rest of the house. I think it makes the house look old and weathered- in a good way- not all worn out way of course!

millipede buddy

2007-12-19T20:59:00.000-08:00

This little guy was crawling up my bathroom wall at 6:30 this morning. In reality he's about 2 inches long! So, not such a little millipede!

dec. 17 & 18

2007-12-18T19:11:00.001-08:00

Dec. 17

This is cause for GREAT noise making in my house! You'd think we were trying to kill the cat! Must make sure the food dish is full before going to bed at night or we'll be up ALL NIGHT listening to him tell us about it!

Dec. 18

What greg thought was THE BEST "white elephant" gift. Yep- we won it and no one tried to steal it! How cool is that?

i need to catch up!

2007-12-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

I kinda need to get caught up on my posting. I've been taking all kinds of pictures just haven't gotten around to posting. Enjoy the explosion of pictures!

Dec. 12

This is a necklace I recreated for a teacher at school. The beads belonged to her aunt and had come off the string. I knotted them and then added chain at the end and a new clasp so she can wear it again.

dec.13

My sweet thing looking out the bathroom window screen at me.

dec. 14

This is a picture of me wearing my light up ears and rudolph nose. It was taken by Greg at about 2 A.M. at The ReMax Christmas Party at the Jackson Rancheria.dec. 15

A snowflake necklace I made for myself. I love the white and blue. The snowflake charm says: Snowflakes are one of a kind"

dec. 16

The light up deer in front of my house.

yesterday and today

2007-12-11T21:43:00.000-08:00

This is the pic from yesterday- it's my honey- I was trying to get the green of his eyes to show up but it didn't work- just made the whole pic b&w. Still a good picture. I didn't upload yesterday because it would have involved getting up out of my lazy boy recliner, dumping the cat off my lap (he's so toasty warm), and getting out from under the blanket and then searching for the download cable. So, you get the picture today.

Today's picture of the day- my front entry way with christmas lights up. This is what my honey and I spent Sunday doing. The lights go ALL THE WAY around the house along the roof line. I tried to get the whole front of the house but it didn't turn out since we have cars in the driveway and it's just blurry since it's so dark out.

yesterday and today

2007-12-09T17:31:00.002-08:00

Yesterday we went to a Stockton Thunder ECHL (or something like that) hockey game. Got free tix from a friend thru their work. It was really fun but we got home at 1 this morning so I didn't get to post my pic of the day! So here it is now.... Yes, I'm still playing with the color intensify setting- this time it's yellow!

This weekend was fun. Yesterday, before the hockey game, my honey and I went to Modesto to use my JoAnn's 50% off coupons. In needed more beading wire and they had it at Michael's. BUT I could only use one coupon at a time there since they're competitor coupons. So, Greg took one and I took the other and we waited in line for 10 min (or more) for 2 spools of beading wire! It ended up costing me $10 for 2 rolls of 30'. Not too bad. So, after being gone all day yesterday we decided to stay home today and put up Christmas lights on the house. We only got the house part done since we got such a late start. We didn't even roll out of bed until 9:45! That's super late for me- Miss 6 A.M. It got dark at 4:30 and we still have to put lights in the trees outside and get the deer put up. Tomorrow we're hopefully going to finish up. In between going to work, going to the hockey game, and putting up lights I've been getting a fair amount of beading done. I managed to get my beads all organized and into one tool box so it makes it that much more enjoyable for me to bead. I can actually find my beads and tools! In light of this I've decided to post of pic of something I've been working on. It's a bracelet I restrung for my mom. I had to add in beads to make it the right length. And I used the left overs to make a pair of earrings for her too.

Tomorrow's MONDAY! ICK!

messing around with the color setting

2007-12-07T16:56:00.000-08:00

My camera has a really great feature that allows me to intensify colors. This is my backyard with the green color selection. I really like this- now I know how people get the intense blue colors in eyes! SWEET!

day 6 is a good day

2007-12-06T20:31:00.000-08:00

This is what my honey leaves laying around. I think the rectangular rust spots are from the lighter fluid. Note the massive amounts of rust on the PVC glue bottle. It makes me wonder if the glue is any good anymore. Hmmm... maybe I should clean up outside once in a while.

is it already day 5? OMG!

2007-12-05T19:40:00.001-08:00

So, I still have halloween candy left over. I bought 2 monster bags at costco and we only had a few kids. I guess I'll have to fall on the sword and finish it up. DAMN! No wonder I can't lose those last 5 lbs!

day 4!

2007-12-04T22:15:00.000-08:00

These are the bracelets that I made last night and got mailed off today. I actually got 3 packages mailed off! One was a scrapbooking RAK, another was these bracelets, and the last was a foam tree I made for my mom for the center piece of the christmas dinner table. Off to the land of dreams... I'm pooped out for the day.

day 3 (almost a habit!)

2007-12-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the puzzle I finished over the weekend. I really enjoy doing puzzles when it's cold and nasty outside. I had to take it all apart today because the house keeper is coming tomorrow and I'm not one of those people who like to glue their completed puzzles together- I don't have room for that! Anyway- Day 3 is done! YAY ME! I have to get 4 name bracelets completed tonight and in the mail tomorrow. AND it's already 8:15.... oh well. I'll get to bed at some point! Maybe my pic tomorrow will be my completed bracelets before I box em up and ship em off tomorrow. 8o)

day 2! Yay me!!

2007-12-02T09:52:00.000-08:00

I've already gotten my picture of the day done! HORRAY for me!!! This is a picture of one of the lemon's (DUH) on my Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree. It's totally loaded down and I can't wait until the fruit is ready to pick! Picture of the day is done- So, now I'm ready to do whatever we decide to do today- maybe go shopping or just out to play. Dunno. We'll see what the rest of the day brings. It's freezing cold out so I know it won't be something outside!

Pic a Day

2007-12-01T17:08:00.000-08:00

So, today being Dec. 1, I have started my goal of a picture a day for this month. Today's picture is of a Tiffany Rose in my front yard. It's a hybrid tea rose. I LOVE the color and the smell is DELISH! It's strange that it's still blooming in DECEMBER but it's just started to get cold. I figure the roses are good for another week of blooms then they're done until late spring.

i got smacked!

2007-11-27T07:04:00.000-08:00

So, I was over at scrap smack and posted something about people talking crap on others and how it's just not nice and blah, blah, blah, and I added my scrapbook.com gallery. Well, someone went there and actually took the time to rip on me! Her comment was "your LO's look like they're 12 years old". I HAD to reply to that one with a "HA! HA! HA! At least you went and looked". How bad is that of me? I got someone to look at my scrapping and then they actually took the time to reply, after looking at my WHOLE gallery! LOVE IT! LOL all day long!!!!

On another topic- one of my awesome families at school brought me a strawberry frap and snowman cookie yesterday- made my Monday all better. 8o) Sometimes I forget that I have some wonderful parents/families at school. Thanks guys!

Note to self- Gotta get ready for the pic a day in Dec.....

pic a day

2007-11-24T12:57:00.000-08:00

Ok- so my goal for december is to do a picture a day. Doesn't matter what it is just that I take and post a pic each and every day for December. If this goes well, I'll probably try for a pic a day for 2008 and do a scrapbooking LO for each month using all those pictures in a grid like configuration. I've been thinking that I don't take nearly enough pictures of the people and things I love.

my first blog

2007-11-21T20:17:00.000-08:00

nothing to blog about. just messing around. don't have much to say today. 8o)

Tomorrow I get to eat turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, apple pie, whipped cream, and junk food. Get to kick it with my sister and a bunch of foreign people I don't know at mom and dad's house since they're out of town visiting family.