Craftland

Christmas Swap I'm hosting!

2011-11-01T12:41:00.003-06:00

I am hosting a Christmas stocking swap over on Swap Bot! - below is the swap as listed on that site- it's free to join and if I've swapped with you before (even if you have no swap bot rating) you can join!

Christmas Stocking Profile Specific

Swap Homepage: http://pookalakachicka.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-swap-im-hosting.html

Swap Coordinator: Sezouli (contact)

Swap categories: Accessories Bath & Body Seasonal

Location: Regional - US

Type: Type 3: Package or craft

Rating requirement: 4.90 (unrated swappers allowed)

Last day to signup/drop: November 15, 2011

Date items must be sent by: December 9, 2011

Number of swap partners: 1

Description:

I can't get enough of stockings and stuffers during Christmas! This swap is for a full size stocking (handmade or store bought) that you fill with items all relating to your (1) partner's profile. I realize that some people have somewhat skimpy profiles, and I will drop them from the swap if there's not enough info- just make sure to fill it in! I also know that some people (myself included) like LOTS of information so please send messages with additional questions and such to your partner if you'd like more info. These types of swaps usually take more time to do because you have to search for recipient-specific items, but I want to make sure that we can get these items in the post so they arrive in time for Christmas. Because of this and the cost of postage, this is a US only swap. Your stocking and items should fit and fill a medium flat rate USPS box (you don't have to use one, this is just a guideline) and cost $10 or so without postage. I know this is fairly inexpensive, but I think that with some creative purchasing/making we can all do a great job! Handmade items are welcome as long as your partner's profile doesn't state otherwise, and the same goes for thrift store items. The swap is only open to those with a 4.9 or above, with at least 5 type 3 swaps, and most newbies aren't allowed. (only if you have swapped and been rated before on another site like craftster) I know that's pretty harsh, but I've been flaked on many times and want to insure it doesn't happen to anyone!

I've joined some other swaps for Christmas on this site too! Here are some of the great ones I'm in:
Handmade Christmas Stocking Full of Goodies
Christmas Stocking Swap
Felt Christmas Decorations- Handmade
Christmas Flat Rate
Christmas Stocking in the Mail

If you're not a member of this, but you're into getting happy snail mail, I'd suggest it! There are a lot of swaps, and for all kinds of tastes. I would suggest that after a couple, you stick to the ones that have strict entry requirements so that theres a smaller chance of being flaked on. I've had that happen (once on Swap Bot and once on Craftster) and it really sucks!

Love this quote- it fits me to a T.

2011-10-04T13:55:00.000-06:00

When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, Leap! ~Cynthia Heimel

Also, I just heard the doorbell, so my new book must be here...
101 Gourmet Cake Bites
Hooray!

Floors and Feet.

2011-07-01T15:39:00.000-06:00

I am not quite sure how it happened as I'm not yet convinced that it's even physically possible, but I think I re-broke a tiny foot bone while battling the floor in the craft room. I'll just give it a few days and see if it gets better, because last time I did it and went to the ER- they bandaged it up with a sports wrap and told me to take it easy. Thanks for that captain obvious and lieutenant way-too-freakin-expensive-for-that-advice.
So I will keep an eye on my own Craft Floor War injuries.
However, I have come out on top as the floor is now in and it's only a matter of edging it out to make it look decent. Now the huge task of unpacking craft boxes needs to be accomplished, as well as the moving and assembly of the two heaviest cabinet-type pieces of furniture I've ever encountered. They'll offer loads of crafty storage, but crapdiddly they are of titanic weight proportions.
I will be posting pics later, but not until it's decent looking enough that I'm not embarrased.
Also, Melissa Bailey, you know you're the only one reading this (unless you have given up on my blog, which I can't really blame you if that's true) so you better call me this weekend!

Under Corn Struction

2011-06-28T11:49:00.000-06:00

My new craft room is undergoing changes before I can establish myself, so why not revamp this situation as well? It's happening......

Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market!

2011-05-09T14:25:00.000-06:00

I met so many crafters of awesomeness this weekend- here they are in no particular order...
DeadWilder - Beautiful drawings made into prints and jewelry. I am in love with the octopus print.
HotButter - Had awesome bags and wallets. I ended up going back for one at the end of my time there because I just couldn't shake it!
JanuaryJonesPrints - I bought a print similar to this one, and a few postcards of awesomeness.
I also got to see the awesome Kelly Cook, who's shop I adore. I got this in card form, and these - both of which will be in the mail to a certain someone soon.
Kelly was there with Betony Coons of GraySparrow where I got a large and tiny print of this, a tiny one of this, and a large one of this - which is going to hang in my new craft room!
Planet Ogie had some awesomeness, as did: Debbie Clapper, Elevated Scraps, Bitter, Fern & Sprout and Cheryl Patrick.
Yummers drinks at ModesTea...
And Snacky goodness from Cake Denver - I got snickerdoodle cookies that I loved.

All in all it was a fan-freakin-tastic time.

Etsy Craft Party 2011

2011-04-25T16:42:00.000-06:00

I am taking the dive and hosting the Greeley Etsy Craft Party 2011! I can't wait to meet some new people and make crafty things and have a great time. I'm nervous (like anyone who doesn't have any friends) that I will be the only one there and I will be doing group activites all by myself. -"and the raffle goes to.... Cheryl- and it's the thing Cheryl made for the raffle. Congratulations self!"
Also, I was consedering shipping friends out just for this occasion, but even then we'd only have 3. So off I go to email any and all Etsy users that live in Greeley, and to think of other ways to invite people!

Getting back in it.

2011-04-15T12:06:00.000-06:00

That is it. I've had it with the lack of activity on my part, and if I don't start crafting soon, I"m going to kick my own ass.

BLOGLOVIN!

2011-02-11T20:24:00.001-07:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin

I LOVE...

2011-02-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

Etsy. I can't go look around without finding a thousand things I wither want or want to make myself.

Like...

this embroidered necklace,

this incredible journal,

this ring, and

this adorable print.

I need to get back in the swing of things.

HOMES

2011-02-10T22:14:00.000-07:00

So this saturday we are off to officially begin our home-buying adventure. I've gotten a lot of advice on what not to do, and hopefully we'll be able to find an awesome house without too much trouble.
As for my crafting, I haven't been actively doing any yet this year, but I have been reading up a storm. The next crafting venture I dare to take is PMC, but since we need all of our disposable income for house related costs right now, I'm reading up on techniques and designs using PMC. If anyone out there has ever used it and would like to throw some advice at me, please do! Although I consider myself somewhat talented in the crafting arena, I think I have the potential to make big mistakes with this!

Crafts and Health Insurance.

2010-11-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

OH dear. I find myself once again on the phone in an effort to clear up issues with my insurance. I feel so bad for the people who's job it is to deal with us unruly insured individuals. I try to be extra nice, even though inside I feel like punching someone because I get a bill for 1,124.82 that was supposedly covered....
*deep breath*
so I will do my time and spend what is already half an hour on the phone and then I will Craft.
Perhaps today I need to make some little plush animals that have cute googley eyes and tiny noses. They can take me to my happy crafty place.

It's tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme- that's right on time.

2010-11-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

Not sure why I'm having old school flashbacks. I was in a construction mood yesterday and completed 4 new things of awesomeness, though as usual, I have run out of patience by the time it's time to take a picture, so they don't look so awesome.
First I made a new necklace display for me

then a similar necklace display for a fellow crafter

they're just upholstered and hinged plywood. Super cheap and easy, but I think they look nice.
And I made a ring display,

This was a piece of styrofoam that I dug channels into, then used the hot glue gun to cover with the velvet.

And finally, my little tree that I'll use to hang my stockings and purses on

All of the wood for all pieces was maybe total $7. I have found that Home Depot has a scrap or "cull" wood section at the back of the store and I raided it, each piece there is only 51 cents! All in all, I"m pretty thrilled with my cheapy displays.

I have also been crafting, and my favorite thing I have made has to be this stocking,

I took old sweaters that had holes in them and cut around the holes to make stockings! This one is the prettiest becuase of the sweater pattern (at least I think so) and if I didn't already have a highly awesome Simpsons stocking that my honey got me, I'd be tempted to just keep this for myself!
On another Christmasey note, I have pretty much fully decorated my house. Poor Tim has to live with this holiday for a full 2 months. He's wonderful.

This is the tree I have in my "library" I've already decorated it, and the second tree is in my living room, and I have yet to fully decorate that one...

But I am in love with the colored LED lights, they're so bright!

I also have decorated the mantle, with stockings for ALL of the family, the three pups each have thier own.

Yep, that's my homer stocking, and Tim has the steelers.
Now, I was all set to insist on a real tree this year, but the green one above was FREE. I found it on Craigslist and expected it to be smaller and crappy, but it's awesome. So I have cedar scented oil to fool me into the Christmas spirit. Plus that way I don't have to vacuum needles. :-)

I'm off to craft, I have to finish everything, and I have PILES of things sitting here to finish! I have a swap to mail on Saturday as well as the holiday craftular at the Atlas Theatre here in Greeley that I am super excited about. Wish me luck peeps!

Welcome November!

2010-11-01T13:14:00.000-06:00

The leaves are falling and the wind is chilly and this is my absolute favorite time of year!

As I sit here drinking my tea and working on some pieces of jewelry, I am overwhelmed with overwhelmeyness. I have a smallish craft show in just 4 days, and I feel like I am so totally not prepared for it. At all. In the least.
So this should be a short blog because I should stop typing and concentrate on the crafting.

In exciting news, my sister is coming to visit me in 9 days, and I'm really pumped/excited/happytacular/whoohooadoodley about it. You should be too. Not because you'll get to see her, but because you just should. Yeah.

Also, if you are on Facebook, you know that it's officially Christmas season for me, and I am going to start decorating immediately. The fall stuff is coming down and the winter stuff is goin' up, and I couldn't be happier about it. Soon the stores will join in with my joy and start putting up Christmas displays and all of you naysayers that say nay to early Christmas celebrations, BAH! I LOVE this season and any excuse to make it last longer is a good one to me.

Oh yes, this is happening right now... I have christmasified my window in front of the computer where I do all this typing, and it is lonely, so I need to get in gear and christmasify some more things.
I promise to post updates, and you have to promise to like it.

SUCCESS!-(I couldn't post this before, But it's here now!)

2010-10-21T10:42:00.000-06:00

I can't believe I actually did it, but three projects done!
The first has no picture because I forgot (DUH) but are the rings I had an order for through Etsy. Done, packed and ready to mail!
The second project is my MIL's stocking,

It's made from a felted sweater and a felt reindeer.

Then my last project was one that I wasn't sure would work, but I hope to sell these ornaments...

at the Atlas Craft Show that I'm in come November. I will have to tinker with the design a bit, and also I need to make/buy a small tabletop sized tree so I can display them.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Since writing that post, I have signed up for ANOTHER craft show, also here in Greeley. I hope I don't lose my mind before it starts!
it's here at
Zoe's Coffeehouse
On November 5th in the evening.

Poor malnourished bloggy!

2010-10-18T17:50:00.000-06:00

I have a second crafty show coming up, and I also have a whopper of a swap to finish, and those are my excuses for not blogging. Also, I am not feeling very clever. (What, you say? The ones I have written were supposed to be clever? Well, you can shut it. How's that for cleverness? Huh?)
SO
Here is the new incredible show of awesomeness and fabulosity

Atlas Winter Show

(This is some of the work of artists that will be there, my thing is the purse)

It looks like it is going to be soooooo awesome, and I can't wait. But I seem to be waiting a LOT to start on my new holiday themed stuff, and that's just no good. I hope to accomplish no less than 3 projects tomorrow, and blog about them. Also, I have mentioned that on Facebook, so now I'm putting it out there so I have a sense of obligation to do it. Hey- self motivate however you can, right?

Also, I have been informed by the crafty masters of craftularity that I need a website. Thus begins what I'm sure will be a long process of setting one up. yay.

Copper gOODIES

2010-10-14T10:22:00.000-06:00

So my newest temporary obsession seems to be copper. It's beautiful, strong, and complicated.

I hope to expand on my capabilites- But I have never been one to shy away from a challenge, and I fully intend to learn all I can before this gives way to whatever whim I have to act on next.

Fall!

2010-10-07T13:49:00.000-06:00

So I have been busy immersung myself in all things fall lately. Anything pumpkin, apple cider, baking, leaves, and the beauteousness of autumn colors. Simce I haven't bloggulared in a while, here are a couple fall-ey things!

This is for my sis, she doesn't have a fall wreath, and while I am far from great at making them, I think she appreciates the thought. :-)

I did not come up with the idea to put pumpkin in brownies, but O.M.G. it is fabulous. Not only is it pretty, it tastes like a chocolate pumpkin pie. I wanted to share it with everyone I am sending cookies to, but sadly, it won't be making it into the packages due to my inability to control myself. I have made and frosted some more sugar cookies, which will be sent out as soon as I add some more cookies to the packages, and I also experimented with dried apples and make an apple cinnamon sugar cookie that I love. I have a few more fall baking ideas, and as soon as I get my buns back in the kitchen I will post pics and reviews.
Also, unrelated to cooking or crafting, but I have the cutest dogs in the world.

Tuesday might just become New Blog Day!

2010-09-21T16:19:00.000-06:00

Well, lookie here. It's been a week since my last entry, and I actually have something to share!
Last Friday, I made myself go to Denver to the Gem and Bead shows. Now, you might be thinking that saying "made myself" is a bit of a stretch if you know my attitude about shopping. But I very rarely go out od town to go shopping by myself. I like to, instead, drag along unwitting family members (Mom and Brin, Dad won't go there!) or friends (ok, ok, friend. I only have the one. Melissa). But I sucked it up and suffered through and so on, and let me say, wowee kazaowee. Apparently there were 8 shows going on that weekend, and I only attended 2, or really just 1.5 if you cound the fact that I didn't finish the bead show because I ran out of money and couldn't stop buying things. It was SOOOOOOO AWESOME! I had a lot of fun at the combination Gem and Fossil show, even though it was overrun with kids. I have to admit though, they were adorable ones, all decked out in their "I heart dinosaurs" gear. So cute. I didn't really look much at the fossils, as that's not my thing, but the abundance of gems was fascinating. Of course, I'm a nerd and didn't take any pictures at that one, so I have none to share until I take photos of the little gemmys that I actually bought.
Now, let's talk about the bead show. Incredible. It was like a warehouse lined with the bead isles at michaels and joanns, but with TONS more, and so much different stuff that I had to try really hard not to pee my pants in excitement. I was suckered into the very first booth I saw, and then skipped maybe 3 on my route to the back and then back to the door. I didn't let myself see the whole thing, (that's what she said) because I just didn't think I could handle it. The girls I spoke with at the craft fair I attended said it was overwhelming, and I didn't believe them, but I totally should have, because it is.

And these jerks below had the audacity to have basically every swarovskit known to man...

I know these pics aren't the best, but I think I could have taken a thousand of them and I wouldn't have been able to capture the ginormousness of the situation.
I wish that Melissa could have been there, I think she would have appreciated them as much as I did, and also I think she is the only shopping partner that wouldn't have minded the excessive amount of time I took studying the beads.
So that is my Friday adventure. Super awesome.

On to my today adventure. I have been yapping about making sugar cookies for, oh about 2 weeks now, and I finally got around to finishing my first batch. I don't know if the icing is going to set enough for me to mail them out to all of you I promised to mail to, but if not, I'll just make more, and hopefully get the icing recipe right!

I know that leaves wouldn't have the little confettis on them but hey- they're fall-y and cute.

And then below, I made some punkins (by the way peeps, I KNOW it's pumpkins, but punkins is more fun to say) and some acorns. The punkins are okay, acorns, not so much.

Really the only way to tell the difference is the color, the punkins being orange and the acorns being brown, except for the two yellow, not sure what I was thinking there...

That's it for me.
Toodles!

Pops of the Cake Variety

2010-09-14T16:56:00.002-06:00

I have been informed in a not-quite-gentle way that I am slacking and should have posted an entry about my cake pops situation. So. Melissa- shut your maw, and here it is.
I happened upon a recipe for Jack-o-lantern cake pops in my most recent Betty Crocker magazine (because I am THAT cool, to get the BC mag...) and not only did they sound deeee-licious, they were adorable and looked easy. Well, they are delicious, and if done correctly, adorable, but not quite as easy as one might imagine. Basically you bake a cake and let it cool, and then you crumble it in a big bowl and mix with frosting. Then you take little balls of that (or in the case of other shapes, you do whatever) and freeze them. Then you use the easily-melted chocolate and dip the little balls in it once you've put them on the lolli stick- thus making them a pop! Then you decorate! (oh yes, and you have to put the stick in a Styrofoam block to let the chocolate harden first)
It all sounds so easy, but making the little cakey balls look like balls and not lumpy bumpies is HARD!

Here are my lumpies. (not to be confused with whatever Fergie was talking about in that one song.)
I can say that even though they are lumpariffic, they are good. Apparently when you let the chocolate harden it shrinks a little, and this results in cracks on some of the pops, so I did what any great product-controlling individual would do- I ate them. It tastes like a cake flavored truffle on a stick. Fabulous.
And I decorated a few,

I used a black glitter gel, but I think that it would be loads easier if I had sprung for the $9 food coloring pens and done the faces that way. And even though they are far from the adorable balls that are shown, I like to think my little dudes have "character." You know, like when you ask someone what they think of something and the response is "well, it's..... different." They are different, but unapologetically.

Look here for more goodness!
http://www.bakerella.com/

Shame On Me.

2010-09-08T11:14:00.000-06:00

I have neglected my bloggy friends. I'm so sorry.
So here's what's new....
Un-craft related, Tim and I had a great 6th Anniversary on Sunday, and Monday we drove up to Estes Park and it was SO BEAUTIFUL.

On a craftier note, I was trying to get into the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market, but unless I can provide an entire booth of non-jewelryness, I'm not in. :-( That's okay, I could try to do a whole bunch of new stuff by the deadline, but it's only a couple weeks away, and I am just not up to the challenge. Instead, I plan to focus my energy on finding and attempting new crafts for Christmas! I know I'm not the only one out there that is already thinking about this holiday (Melissa, I'm theatrically winking your way...) but I may be the only one that has already bought numerous gifts. Sorry people, I LOVE to shop. Love. My poor hubs can attest to my unhealthy obsession with sales. (OH YES, I am already thinking about Black Friday!)
So. In an attempt to be more like I was last year (broke) I am trying to make a lot of gifts, and luckily I am starting on it sooner than November this year, so I have hopes of making things while not stressing.
Oh yes, and I found just about the cutest cookie cutters whilst roaming the isles at Ross, so I think I might try my hand at cookie decorating. I figure even if they look horrible, I'll still eat 'em. :-9

I'm here, I'm here, Yeesh!

2010-08-30T15:34:00.001-06:00

Well well well.
So my little crafty fair of craftness went off without a major hitch, and the only minor ones being a) it was 98 hot degrees that day and b) I didn't make any money once you facor in costs, I actually lost a LOT.
BUT!! But it was only my first fair, and I did it for the experience and not the money (good thing!) and I managed to make new crafty friends, which is a feat in and of itself for me since I am such a hermit normally. I did sell some items, and upon checking my google analytics the traffic was up on my etsy store with 88 new visitors that day and the next, so that is WONDERFUL!!! Okay, enough of my bragginess... here's how it went down.
I managed to wake up at a respectable time, and the set-up for the even started at 10. I got there at 9:59, and was suprised to see I was the 4th to arrive (there was a total of about 20 vendors). Luckily, the organizer (Kelly Cook) was awesome and helpful and she was able to do her organizey duties as well as help me set up a little. Another passer-by helped me with my tent, and then I needed to figure out where to put everything. I had intentions of setting things up in a dry-run the week before, but I chickened out because I knew if it didn't look good then I would freak and not do the show. It took me the full 2 hours to get everything out the way I wanted it to be, and in the end looked like this.

(the pics aren't that great, but you get the gist)

I was actually fairly happy at how it turned out, though next time I know that I need a little more variation in the heights of table displays, and that I may choose a different "layout" since this left me very little room to move around.

Plus, it was so hot, that (3rd pic) later in the day I had to move the backdrop curtians so that I could get a tiny breeze, and I think that took away from the look, but I didn't want to be fainting. That wouldn't have been good.
So the event technically started at 12, but no one really arrived until 3:30. This was the first year they did an artists/crafts block, and the main event was the 45 bands that were playing throughout the day starting at, you guessed it, 3:30. Kelly said that she plans on doing another year, but will start later next year, so I think that would be awesome.
I set out all of my items, and also a photo album (that I plan to continually update) with crafts that I've previously made for Etsy and also for swaps, and I think that a lot of people enjoyed seeing those.
I also had a woman ask me about an item that I made previously but didn't have any of at the time, and she took a card, so I am hoping that I canb put that in the etsy store for her!
Okay, so, I want all kinds of input that you're willing to give on what I can do to look better (the booth, not me, I KNOW what I can do...) and what you would have liked to see if you had been there.
Lay it on me!

This is it.

2010-08-26T16:22:00.000-06:00

Hoooooo boy. Today is the last "prep" day for my crafty thing, and as much as I really want to yap about it, I need to get things done. BUT! Don't fear, I plan on taking lots and lots of pictures, and I plan on writing all about it afterwards, so check back.
Peace out home fries.

Oh, The Ironing.

2010-08-20T18:31:00.000-06:00

I don't think I can take any more. I'm all ironed out. Any and all future crafts will have to be wrinkly and grubby, because I simply can't do it anymore. I'm sorry. Who knew there were so many heat-applied items and steps in crafts?! WHO? I wanna know so I can hunt them down and poke out thier eyes. Preferably with a hot iron! (insert slightly psycotic, yet cautiously joking laugh here..)
On a happier note, I'm getting closer and closer to actually being ready for this thing!
The referred to "thing" being this:

I posted it before, and I'll probably post it again, because it's my FIRST!

And I have come up with an item of awesomeness during my craft-a-thons these past weeks.

Behold.

It's a beach, In ring form!! By the way, if you are not nearly as excited as I about this- you can just shut it, because it was so much harder to make than you'd think, and I never gave up. So HA!

So I'm hoping to make many more of these, unfortunately I am not quite a "pro" at it yet, so they will probably be few and far between unless they are really popular, because the investment per piece grows pretty fast when you keep ruining the pieces!

I've also been making lotsa other stuff, but it's all on the PookaLakaChicka facebook page.

(this is too, but I am SO excited, I had to do a repost!)

Alrighty die-ty. I should go sew these dismembered purse corpses together....

Or maybe get a drink...

We'll see.

The stench of failure is overwhelming. Or wait... did I wear deodorant today?

2010-08-16T14:58:00.002-06:00

Okay so what I remember about the Melissa and Cheryl resin casting days, is that a) it was pretty easy and b) it smelled terrible.

What happens when I do it alone?

a) It's not even anywhere close to resembling easy, the crap is hardening up in 2 seconds or is like working with snot.

b) it still stinks. A lot.

So now my hands and fingernails are covered grossness and the $20 I invested in the process of casting is wasted. I still have some left, but after 3 attempts to get the right balance and working in the ridiculously hot garage, I'm done. And I"m not a happy crafter. :-(

I want to try to make the rings I prepared, but now I"m afraid that I have the stigma of failure surrounding me and it will touch everything I attempt to do.

So... notes to self-

1. You need to wear gloves when working with resin.

2. You need more acetone to wipe this junk off.

3. You need Melissa here to laugh at your failure with you.

4. Stop trying to force things and take a break. At worst, you'll fail again later, but you'll at least get a snack out of it.

Can't talk... Crafting.

2010-08-14T11:36:00.000-06:00

Okay, okay, I have decided that since you are all waiting patiently by your computer screens for me to post another wisdom-filled blog, I will oblige you. However, it's going to be short, because I officially have less than two weeks to get my act together, and if you know me, you know it's taken me approxamately 28 years to get this far, so 2 weeks is nothin.
1. I miss Melissa. I have a picture of her in a drunken (1/2 a glass of wine) stupor, and I think I will post it in my craft room so that I can see it and think of her.
2. Brin reminded me that football started last night, well, the preseason anyway, and now I am all excited about the normal season because it looks like (thanks to McNabb) we're going to be a decent team.
3. When I woke up this morning and sat outside with the doggies, it was like 70 degrees. I CANNOT WAIT for fall.
4. I am all out of wisdom but feel that 3 points aren't enough to sustain you greedy readers out there.
5. Again, I have nothing, but 5 seems to be a good stopping number.

I'm The Weener!!

2010-08-10T14:25:00.000-06:00

I won the mostest awesomest necklace ever! Go me!! And I may find myself having to enter another crafty fair, since they are the ones that did the necklace giveaway, after all.
Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market
In other news, I have discovered something that I may have to make a crapton of, since I find it to be highly exceptionally awesome in the extreme! It is a combo necklace/bracelet/headband. Oh yes.
All three in one tiny little thing of coolness.
I am perfecting the niftyness, then I will post pictures.
Also, if you live near me in CO, you'd better be getting your buns to the event posted below on August 27th. With any luck, you will be able to see me have a full blown panic attack, free of charge.

In like Flynn

2010-08-07T15:23:00.000-06:00

I am IN THIS! Actually in it, not going to it, not seeing it from afar, IN it. I am soooooo nervous!

I wish I had friends and family close by, I know they'd help me!!

Sweaty Elbows- Your daily dose of randomosity

2010-08-06T16:45:00.000-06:00

OH HAPPY DAY! And Happy Mail. With a possibility of a Happy Meal as well.
I went off amongst them today, and found myself in the jewelry isles at JoAnns. While normally this is a cause for celebration, of course they did not have what I need, so I will have to make it from scratch. It's not super difficult, but it would be better if I could just buy it outright. Also, I bought a necklace and bracelet stand, so it looks like I'm talking myself into doing this whole craft show thing. Either that or I just like the looks of them. A little of both, actually.
Oh and I am noticing that I"m not much of a writer, as every other thing here is a sentence fragment. Please don't grade me, I'm afraid I'd fail.
In other news, my mom sent me a "happy mail" package filled with goodies. There were a ton of jewelry items I had previously made and forgotten about (Bonus- Less to make for the show I may or may not do...) as well as a check for some things she took from the stash and an "order" for some things I can make her! So needless to say- whoooo hooo I have work to do!
Oh, and I also have all the stuff to do to get ready for a show, as well as finishing up the pieces I want Leslie to model.
Whooo hoo?

People will think what I tell them to think when you tell me what to tell them to think.

2010-08-05T14:58:00.000-06:00

I am realizing that in order to maintain a daily crafting blog, one must craft daily.
Not weekly, or bi-weekly or basically just whenever I feel like it.
DAILY.
Thus forms my resolution to a) craft more, daily possibly and b) also post about my craft-related things. Oh yes, and c) to continue my random posts of randomness, because after all, I don't think people feel obligated to read it anyway.
So.
Today I did not craft, but I did make a Dr appointment and talk to people about bills and organize all of the financial stuff and go to lunch with Tim and clean the house and do a load of laundry and go grocery shopping. I know that there are many people out there that don't understand how I can be home all day and not have a "job" but really, I just do everything that you do at night and on the weekend during my day, and that way my nights and weekends are spent with Tim.
Oh yes, so back to my (lack of) crafting.
I had a brainfart of an idea yesterday, and I plan on a trip to the big JoAnns in Loveland tomorrow to buy a few necessary supplies. (no, I don't know how I can have this craft room full of things and still need supplies either) I also hope to jam in a few tree pendants here soon, because I owe Melissa B a pair of earrings for being the most awesomest and best friend ever. I also plan on mailing a bunch of things I have made and/or are swapping tomorrow, so if you are waiting for a package from me, chances are it'll finally get on it's way tomorrow.
Oh yes, and I am also excited about the prospect of making an awesome dog present for my cousin's new adoption, so I'll be needing to get on that soon as well.
For those of you that I have forced into making a WIST (Brin, Melissa) you guys need to get on that because I will be commencing with the christmas crafts soon so that I don't end up a slave to the craft room for the entire month of December like last year. Also, if I haven't forced you into a Wist- but you a) already have one, or b) want to make one, send me the link people!!!
Toodle-oo.

Dang you, Dang you to heck.

2010-08-02T13:28:00.001-06:00

Oh my. I just had the most deliciously fabtacular cookie known to man. It's called a tahiti cookie- from Pepperidge Farm. And for those of you who say that homemade cookies beat packaged ones any day, fine, come over and make me a tahiti cookie and maybe I'll agree, but until then.... neener.
More on the subject of crafts (as this blog is not called cookieland, hm, but that sounds fun- a land made of cookies) I am actually crafting today. I have finally gotten myself to stop "prepping" (aka lazing around the house) and I am making stretchy bracelets for my MIL. She can't have any metal in her jewelry, so I'm using nifty flocked felt and wooden and gemstone beads to make bracelets.
(Like these:)

So I am feeling slightly better about what I am accomplishing, I just hope that I can continue to motivate myself to make things. Maybe the secret is the fabby cookies. Yep, I'll just have to eat them every day and see how that works out. Either I will be able to get lots of awesome things done or I will get so fat that I'll resemble a marble with little stumpy legs and arms and I won't get anything done.

Lets hope it's not the marble.

Up at the crack of noon

2010-07-30T11:03:00.000-06:00

Upon my very early rise this morning (10:30) I awoke to find the dogs looking at me like I was insane.
Normally, this doesn't bother me, but thie morning I couldn't help but think- Hey! Don't look at me like I'm wasting the day away sleeping! I mean really! These are the same dogs that typically get my butt up at 8 or so by shoving cold little dog noses on my face, and then once I'm up, they feel the need to nap. So I don't think they are in any position critisize for one day of extra sleep. Even as I type this now, this is what's behind my chair. (I think the 3rd one is on the couch)

So anyway. I start my day off with some pups that have no idea if they should be sleeping or bothering me.

I do love them though.

As for the rest of my as-of-yet-unwasted day, I have hopes of getting crafts done, but this week has been very unproductive in the craftiness thus far. (and yes, I realize today is friday) I have made a lot of progress on the outdoor lawn maintenence front, but unfortunately that doesn't really help my sadly lacking inventory for the Etsy site. I have periods of manic crafting, where I just can't wait to get started every day, and then times like this, where I need to shove a fork in an electrical outlet to even start thinking.

So now I'm going to go make some (i.e. 3 or 4 cups of ) coffee, and possibly try to get moving. If all else fails, I'll come back to you, and post another long winded account of nothingness.

Sounds great, right?

Right.

Today- a day of shnoinkles.

2010-07-28T20:53:00.000-06:00

So today I hit the thrift store up again, and got Shmo-lissa an awesome quilt of cuteness. I don't know what I like more, finding an awesome deal for me, or finding one for someone else. I think it's better to get something for a friend, because then you get the thrill of finding a great deal (for all of you losers like me that get a thrill out of that....) and then they get the fun of a nifty gifty. Hurrah!
Also.
Why do the mosquitos decide that I'm fair game whenever I try to mow the lawn? I think they might see me, and hear the mower, and then they think I'm one giant fat mosquito that they feel the need to be with. Not right. Not at all.
I thought I had a lot of thoughts to share and b's to log, but I'm tapped.
More next time, I promise.

Blog "Swap" goodness and other things.

2010-07-26T14:59:00.000-06:00

In an effort to have more followers and/or actually reach someone that wants to read my drivel, I have joined a 'swap' where you don't actually exchange things, but you follow your fellow swappers blogs. I think it's a pretty awesome idea, since sometimes finding a blog that you would be interested in can be difficult. This way you're thrown headfirst into 10 people's bloggy lives and you never know, you might just find a great one! If anyone currently reading my blog would like to know who's life I have been thrown into, here are my partners blogs....
http://delicate-eccentric.blogspot.com
http://www.missanne.org/
http://zilliahbailey.blogspot.com
http://myscrappycorner.blogspot.com/
http://thecraftpad.blogspot.com/
http://vintageterrace2.blogspot.com/
http://acrosstheuni-verses.blogspot.com/
http://luckyxiiicreations.wordpress.com/
http://overlycute.blogspot.com/
http://msteacherwedding.blogspot.com/

There are a few nifty neato ones!

As for the "other things" mentioned in the title...
We all know that I am a prcrastinator of the most extreme sort, so don't expect too much to come of it, but I am cleaning my craft room today and tomorrow and will hope to start on a few projects! Also, The beetle problem has been solved. Lots of insecticide and I think they will be leaving me alone for a while. I know that it's wrong to kill the little creatures of our universe and so forth, but, holey hot plate of butter I HATE insects. All of them. Even the cute ladybugs. Sorry.

I Love Randomness

2010-07-23T14:23:00.000-06:00

I really do. I like it when you see something somewhere it doesn't belong and it makes you pause and think, "Hm. That's random." Maybe that's why I don't make sense to normal people, you have to have the special random gene to get me. maybe. Or maybe everyone gets me but I'm just incurably unlikable. Hrm.
Well I have been up to the task of getting myself settled back into my groove, and in doing so I have really let the Etsy site slide. I have, however- made sure that all the bird and squirrel friends are well fed and watered, mowed and treated the lawn for insects (ickyickyeewyuckyuck), cleaned the house, been thoroughly freaked out by the invasion of tiny beetles in the house (I will get them all, I vow it), ordered new business cards, started Christmas shopping, joined a Denver area crafters group, been to the bookstore and target twice and had at minimum 3 cups of coffee a day. So that's something. I also have all kinds of plans that I hope to get out onto paper before I lose them in the vortex that I call a brain.
Some include: developing 6 or so "characters" that I can use in my crafting goodness, start painting again, mostly for fun with the possibility of listing future works, deciding on what principals I would like my site based (Yes it's a little late for it, but I feel the need to whittle things down to a workable group of ideals so I can concentrate on what is most important to me), possibly hiatus-ing the craft work to concentrate on and maybe even finish all of the household chores I need to do (ie... sew the curtains, make the pillows, make a new dog bed, rearrange the room, rehang the chandelier in the dining area and so on). That's all I can think of now, but I know there were more.....
Naturally, now that I've sat down with time to actually write the ideas down they have all flown my brain coop, and I don't have an ETA for their return. Great-a-rino.
Ok then brain, you win this round, but I am going to go eat a cupcake and possibly have some coffee and we'll see if I can't lull you into complacency and then I can try to extract the rest of my ideas...

SCORE!

2010-07-21T15:11:00.000-06:00

Today turned out to be an errand-running-catch-up-on-fun-things-like-laundry day. I have so much to do, but I'm being true to myself and procrastinating. I will (eventually) make the "Deep Dark Sea" collection that I have in mind for my Etsy site (That's for Leslie to model for me) and also the Chibi inspired "Adorable Sea Creatures" collection (for Natalie to model). And I also have 4 or 5 things that I need to make for my family, and also need to fill out the store with other random goodies while I am developing these things.
So in order to kick all that off, I did absolutely nothing crafty and went shopping.
How very Cheryl of me.
However- I will say that I totally scored at the thrift store and got 3 pairs of jeans for less than $15. So take that all you naysayers that are out there saying Nay and whatnot! Oh yes, take that and put it in your hat to smell later.

Ahoy and so on

2010-07-20T11:55:00.001-06:00

Well I'm back from the land of the terminally weird (i.e. VA, where my family and friends make up a large part of the crazy population) and I'm ready to spread the strangeness all over CO, so watch out!
I didn't get the opportunity to do many craft while I was vacationing, but I will tell you about the one thing Melissa and I did.
Apparently the books that are put out on making friendship bracelets are for 8-16 year olds, and keeping that in mind...
Apparently Melissa and I are both not crafty and or patient enough to figure these books out. We thought that it would be neat to whip up a couple of bracelets for each other (on a Saturday night, because we are so highly awesome) by using the patterns in the book we got. We eventually were able to figure out what the heck the book was telling us to do (after 35 minutes...) but then once we started on the stupid things, we realized that they were going to take for-ev-er to finish. Like days upon days of this string over that string and that string over the other string. So. What could we do?
Persevere? No.
Figure out an easier way? No.
Make simpler bracelets? Also No.
We quit.
Oh yes, we have officially been beaten by the numerous 12 year-olds that are out there making bracelets for their friends right now. Oh well. At least we saved the 2 inch section and will make phone charms out of them.
Tucking that crafty flop under my belt, I am moving on. I hope to get myself back in order shortly, and then I will have a couple of days of craft-a-thon-i-ness.
And don't worry, I'll be posting pictures of the trip and my awesome dorkiness soon.

Some friend you are. MELISSA!

2010-07-07T13:56:00.001-06:00

Oh yes. I am calling you out on your insistence of another blog whilst I should be busy doing much more important things. Like scooping up the dog poo in the backyard (I only wish I was kidding about this) or making yet another trip to Target or Starbucks. I don't see how you expect me to be able to produce quality work (ah, case in point....) while I have only consumed 3 coffees today. I need at least 5, possibly 12 to work well.
Well I will have you know, I am packed, and even though I didn't finish all the craftiness I wanted to, I gotta lotta done(a).
And for those non-Melissaians reading this (all 2 of you :-) I will be headed eastbound for a trip to see the family and probably won't be posting again until I get back (July 20th). So miss me!

Just Call Me Captain Bringdown

2010-07-06T18:36:00.000-06:00

I am so proud of myself, I was able to actually accomplish something today! I posted the tute, and in the process made 4 new bags, in addition to finishing off Melissa's shirt (which was my first serger project).

And even though it's far from perfect, I'm just happy to have figured out enough about the serger to use it for more than looking good on my table!

Granted I still have about, ah, 15 projects that are in stages of completion, but at least I"m making progress, right? Right.

So as I sit here patting myself on the back (very uncomfortable, I don't recommend it) I am looking at yet another project. I have a whopping 1 day left to get anything done, and I also have a Dr. appt and have to pack, so we'll see.

Oh poo. How did I digress from being so full of myself I'm almost popping to thinking about everything I'm not going to finish.

*sigh*

Toot-Oriole

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

So here is the famed "freezer paper" method that I've been using on my little bagulars.
First, gather all your supplies,

You'll need freezer paper, scissors, your pre-washed without fabric softener fabric (in my case the fabric, bag handle and sewing machine) the color of paint you want to use and a bottle fabric medium (I got it at hobby lobby, it's about $8) as well as an iron and ironing board, foam or other unimportant brush, a pice of unneeded cardstock or cardboard, cup to mix the paints in and an idea for the image you want to use.

(if you are going to make something from the fabric, do that now, so that you know the approx. size of the image you will need)

1. Start by tearing off an appropriate sized piece of FP (freezer paper) and use a pencil or pen to draw your image onto the matte side making sure to leave a blank border area of about 1/2".

2. Then, using either a pair of scissors or if your image is very detailed, you may want to opt for the craft knife, cut out the image leaving the surrounding paper.

3. Now iron your fabric on the appropriate setting so that the area to be stenciled is as flat as you can make it, and then then take your surrounding FP and lay on top of the area. Position it carefully, and then using the iron set on the warmest non-steam setting iron the paper to the fabric with the shiny side of the paper against the right side of the fabric.

4. When moving your fabric from the ironing board, be careful not to bend too much, the bond between FP anf fabric isn't strong, if it separates in the process, repeat step 3.

5. Mix the amount of fabric medium with the indicated amount of paint (usually 2parts paint to 1part medium) and place your cardstock or cardboard behing the layer of fabric that you will be setncilling. (see below image, that is the bleed-through from my stencil)

6. Using either a dabbing motion of you can spread the paint from the outside in (start on the FP and spread towards the empty part of the stencil) apply your first coat of paint. If you fabric is plain, this may be all you need, if patterened, usually a second thicker coat is necessary. Let this coat dry some (about 30mins), and see if more paint is needed. If you need to apply more and the FP sencil is beginning to separate from the fabric, you will need to use the spreading motion to make sure that you don't get any of the paint outside of the stenciled lines.

7. At this point I usually let the stencil sit for about another 30 mins, and then I very carefully remove the stencil and let the paint dry. If you wait until the paint is dry to remove the stencil, be careful that the edges of the stencil don't peel the paint back. Since the paint has fabric medium in it, it is flexible and can peel.

8. Once the fabric is dry enough to touch without being tacky, you will need to heat-set the paint. Use a scrap piece of cloth, or if that's not available, a paper towel over the paint, and iron at the fabric's appropriate setting for 20 seconds by placing the iron and lifting straight up, and placing again. If you iron normally, there is a chance the paint will smear, so in the beginning of the heat-setting process be very careful.

9. At this point it is recommended that pieces meant for heavy use air dry for 7 days. Then you can clean the piece with warm soapy water and/or wash on the gentle cycle and air dry.

10. Hooray!

Craft Room Relocation

2010-07-05T17:51:00.000-06:00

I don't know why I can't just do things like a normal person.

My craft room was in desperate need of cleaning, so what did I do? Took it all apart and moved it, Obviously.

No, I guess that isn't the obvious or even the smartest solution, but it's the one I came up with. So now I have a combination library/craft room, even though I had to sacrifice a lof of the books for shelf space. The main attraction of this new area is that the poor ventilation of the previous room is fixed (lots of windows here) and now I can have the computer handy.

So...

Old craft room of stilflingness...

And my newer crafty library of happiness!

Any thoughts- comments- suggestarinos?

Stalk to you later.

2010-07-03T18:33:00.002-06:00

Oh no. I feel I may have inadvertently shown the world how very sad I am by accidentally subscribing to my own blog. (hey, you have to get followers somehow, right?) I was going to sign in and take my name off the list, but I thought- You know what? No. Is it true that only very lonely people and possibly the loseriest people on earth would do that? Yes. Is it true that now I have an actual subscriber (thanks Natty!) so I don't really need to be my own? Yes. But isn't it also true that I am conducting this blog as an avenue of expressing myself? Yes, it is, and therefore even the stupid and (supposedly) inadvertent mistakes I make must be put out there for the world. No one likes people who don't make mistakes anyway.

Hm... Relying on that logic, I may just turn out to be very, very likable.

Okay. Overwhelmed.

2010-07-02T19:37:00.000-06:00

Well, well, well. Poke me in the eyes with a fork, I have been looking at blogs and sites all day and have come to realize that I haven't even scratched the surface of the crafty world I supposedly live in.
Also, I have realized that my craft room is a wreck. Unrelated, but, in my world, very important information.
I have read that within your blog you need to post lots and lots of awesome pictures, and I can honestly say that no matter how great the lighting- a pic of that room would send you all (oh wait, there's still no one following me...) running to dunk your head in a toilet. Well, it would make me reach for that fork again, so even though I'm currently sharing it with no one, it's still one too many people to subject it to. So note to self- make sure to post a pic of the soon-to-be-clean room as soon as it's actually clean.
Will do.

Newbie!

2010-07-02T10:17:00.000-06:00

I am new, not only to this particular Blog, but to the blogging world in general. How I managed to stay ignorant of this form of communication while not living under a rock in the 12th century is a mystery to me. Oh well. Now I am here. I have proverbially arrived, and I plan on posting all of my interestingness out there for the world (or currently no one) to see.