Fuzzy Wuzzy and Solid

 

A bit ago, I was walking along Main St., and I noticed one of the statues.  I know there are tons of them along the street, but I particularly like this one.

 

 

 

Mainly because of this little guy.  I thought the baby bear was just so cute, so I had to take a picture.

 

 

 

 

Judging by the price tag here, a photo is the only thing I could afford.  Yikes!

Read More »

Loose Change No More

Here are the change purse key chains I made.  The approved ones I mean, I made a prototype that came out horrible, mainly problems with adding zippers.  This design was actually quicker than the prototype and cuter, but they kind of remind me of potholders.  Maybe that’s what I should make next.  I’m glad I at least found a use for bias trim,  I found several packages that I forgot I had.
Now the updated list:

• Ribbon headbands
• Jean waistband cuffs
• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars
• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués
• Something square
• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories
• Cell phone sleeping bag
• Change purse key chains
• Monster plush key chains
• Strawberry pins and magnets
• Painted binder clips
• bottle cap pins
• zipper charms
• butterflies

Nine down, five to go.

Read More »

Thinking of the Seasons

What does Fall mean to you? 

To some it means back to school or campus.  New clothes, supplies and the like. 

It also means cooler weather, which for me means being able to go outside with clothing on and not feel hot. 

There are tons of things to think about when Fall comes.  The ending of Summer vacation and start of new schedules and events, the closeness of holidays like Halloween and all too close to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For me it’s also another year gone by.  My birthday is in October so this time of year I start thinking of what it means to be a year older. 

Have I grown wiser, do I look my age yet, and am I a better person than before?  The age thing never seems to happen (I got mistaken for a high school student again) but I believe I have improved in other areas. 

And I look forward to more growth and improvement as I grow older.  It does seem fitting to be growing a year during a time of new beginnings such as this.  Guess it’s pretty good to be a fall baby.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.  Check them out, it’s so cool.

Read More »

It’s Finished!

Yes, I finished the first episode of Kailey and Boris.  The quality of the animation should be noticeably better than before, thanks to a freeware program I found.  Although there still is that amateurish charm to it.  You be the Judge.

Here it is.

Read More »

A Past Halfway Project List Update

Now more than halfway through my list with these beaded zipper charms.  I actually used sewing pins with the beads instead of the usual, I have more pins than I need anyway.  They are pretty easy it make, except I kept on dropping the pins while trying to attach them. 

Now the updated list:

• Ribbon headbands
• Jean waistband cuffs
• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars
• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués
• Something square
• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories
• Cell phone sleeping bag
• Change purse key chains
• Monster plush key chains
• Strawberry pins and magnets
• Painted binder clips
• bottle cap pins
• zipper charms
• butterflies

Eight down, six to go.

Read More »

A Sneak Peek and Another Short Film

I am in the middle of making Kailey and Boris’ first episode.  Here’s a peek at the set I made for it.  

It’s a small park with a tree, some clouds, and a low fence  and bush which both  play a small role in the plot.   I made the set with half a cardboard box and more fabric scraps. Of course I also used a good amount of tacky glue and straight pins.  The best part is that thanks to the straight pins, the set can be easily changed and rearranged as needed.  I made a second one as well, but no looking until later.

In the meantime, I made another short film just for fun.  Enjoy.

Read More »

A Short Film for Fun

I couldn’t sleep last night and I thought of a great idea, so I stayed up till about 2 am finishing it.  

It’s a short film staring these two characters.  They are made from felt and fabric scraps, beads, a little glue, and twist-ties.  So far I made a short preview for them.  I want to make more eventually, so please stay tuned.  And please excuse the amateur quality, although I think that’s part of it’s charm.

Without further ado, here’s Kailey and Boris.

Read More »

I’m Organized? and A Project List Update

Yesterday, I was featured on etsystudios.blogspot.com.  You get to see me in action there, and apparently I’m more organized than I thought.  At least, according to what it says I am, though it certainly doesn’t look like it to me.  Oh well.
I finish the tote bag form my list.  I’ve been wanting to do it since April but never got around to it.  Maybe the umbrellas will bring some luck for rain, goodness knows we need it here.
Now the updated list:

• Ribbon headbands
• Jean waistband cuffs
• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars
• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués
• Something square
• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories
• Cell phone sleeping bag
• Change purse key chains
• Monster plush key chains
• Strawberry pins and magnets
• Painted binder clips
• bottle cap pins
• zipper charms
• butterflies

Seven down, Seven to go.  Yay!  Halfway through!

Read More »

Craft Closet Overload

I found this lovely green material at Goodwill months ago.  It came with matching thread and other notions needed, yet it sits there in the original bag I got it in.   I just haven’t gotten around to it, so why did I get it in the first place if I wasn’t going to do anything with it.  Why do we hoard supplies?  It’s always “oh just imagine what I can do with this”  when we have at least five “just imagine” projects still in the closet waiting for the “imagining” to start.  For me, sometimes I see a good deal and I can’t pass it up, or I see something about to be tossed and I have to save it because it could be useful someday.  I’ve started to take a stand on this.  I haven’t gone shopping “just to look” for awhile now, and one of the reasons I’ve been doing my Project List lately is to finally use some of those materials collecting dust.  Sadly, the green fabric has still been shoved to the back, but be patient dear fabric.  Someday you may still be transformed into something both useful and beautiful, if only I could figure out what.  So, the next time you want to check out the sale at your favorite fabric store or whatever, try “shopping” in your little collection first, you might already have all that you need for your next project.  At the very least, you might be inspired to do a little cleaning up shop to make room for your latest finds.  Maybe not.

Read More »

Something New with Food and a Sweet Update

I’ve recently gotten in to putting salsa on everything, just to try it out.  Here are some ways to use it that I’ve personally enjoyed.

• Grilled cheese sandwich dipped in salsa—think of it as a thicker, spicier version of tomato soup.
• cream cheese and salsa sandwich—I find they both compliment each other well, it’s also good if you’re a wimp for spicy foods.
• salsa on baked potato—it’s a classic choice.  Actually anything on a baked potato is a good choice.
• salsa in pasta—for one of those days when you are out of spaghetti sauce.
• baked with goat cheese and spread on French bread—this is from a recipe I got from a book called Recipes From a Vegetarian Goddess.

I also finished the strawberry pins from my list.  I was going to make magnets, but I’m getting sick of them.  I cut out the pieces from felt, glued them together, and then zig-zag stitched all around.  Add a pin back and they’re set.
Now the updated list:

• Ribbon headbands
• Jean waistband cuffs
• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars
• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués
• Something square
• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories
• Cell phone sleeping bag
• Change purse key chains
• Monster plush key chains
• Strawberry pins and magnets
• Painted binder clips
• bottle cap pins
• zipper charms
• butterflies

Six down, eight to go.

Read More »

Felines Do the Funniest Things and an Update

Here’s a picture of Midnight, bonding with my flip-flops again.  You can actually see the spot where she licked them.  What is it about cats and my sandals.  My older sister used to have a cat who couldn’t wait until I got home so he could snuggle and lick my shoes, her other cats went for the rubber tires on her stroller.  Maybe it’s the material, should I be concerned.  Or possible it’s the smell of the great outdoors.  Whatever, it is kind of cute though to watch.
Now I finished the monster key chains from my list, although the one looks like a fuzzy purple pickle.  I got the inspiration for these when I noticed the interestingly shaped scraps I had when I made plushies from this fabric.  I just stitched them and stuffed them, then I had my fun.  The one with the pink eyes is named Paul, the round one with blue eyes is Chester, and the pickle one I’m still not sure.
Now the updated list:

• Ribbon headbands
• Jean waistband cuffs
• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars
• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués
• Something square
• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories
• Cell phone sleeping bag
• Change purse key chains
• Monster plush key chains
• Strawberry pins and magnets
• Painted binder clips
• bottle cap pins
• zipper charms
• butterflies

Five down, nine to go.

Read More »

Better than Bracelets, a Project List Update

Another project done from the list, waistband cuffs.  Technically I only made one from jeans, the other ones are from a plaid skirt and cameo print cargos, bet you can’t guess which. 
I used the skirt because I loved the cute buckle it had and the plaid was a nice touch.  I made the cameo one because it looks like something a guy might actually wear, although I’m not sure about it.  And the jean cuff is made with a cotton polka dot print I’ve had for far too long.  Ever found some fabric somewhere, be it a craft store or thrift store, and loved it to death yet you always put off actually using it.  Because you’re “saving” it for the perfect project that you may never find, so it just sits there gathering dust.  This was the case with the print and I just got sick of it so I used it.  I’m also planning on using it for one of the other projects, so look forward to it.
Now the updated list:

• Ribbon headbands
• Jean waistband cuffs
• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars
• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués
• Something square
• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories
• Cell phone sleeping bag
• Change purse key chains
• Monster plush key chains
• Strawberry pins and magnets
• Painted binder clips
• bottle cap pins
• zipper charms
• butterflies

Four down, ten to go.

Read More »

So Happy and a Project Update

 

Yay! One of my items was featured in a blog.  My red polka dot pencils were featured on A Scrappy Design along with some other adorable items.  Check it out here.

Also I finished another project from my list.  I made a charm bracelet with two stars and a moon, a beaded necklace with a moon, and a moon zipper charm.  The charms are made with shrink plastic.  Sorry, but I can’t quite remember why I wanted to make moon and star jewelry.  It doesn’t matter anymore, because I think they came out wonderful.

Now the updated list:

• Ribbon headbands Jean waistband cuffs

• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars

• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués

• Something square

• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories

• Cell phone sleeping bag

• Change purse key chains

• Monster plush key chains

• Strawberry pins and magnets

• Painted binder clips

• bottle cap pins

• zipper charms

• butterflies

Three down, eleven to go.

Read More »

No Zzzzzzzz

Saturday night my brother introduced me to the wonder that is visual novels.  These are hard to describe but it’s like a cross between a King’s Queste style adventure game and an e-book.  To the point, I found myself staying up to 5am reading.  What’s worse, last night I got absolutely no sleep at all.  (This is the one that kept me up, be careful.)  It’s not the first time I have had to deal with this kind of thing.  I recall when reading one of the Harry Potter books being unable to go to sleep until I find out what happens next and in the next chapter and et cetera, until I looked up noticed the sun was rising.  Don’t even ask about the Septimus Heap series.  What is it about these long epic stories that keeps me sleep deprived?  They’re just too stimulating for me the first time.  Again, it’s that “gotta see what comes next right now” thing.  And the visual novels are worse because most are interactive with alternate endings, so once you finish you want to start again to see what happen if you do this, this, and this.  Maybe I should just stick with Archie comics, they just put me to sleep.  Not because I find them boring, hardly.  They’re just more relaxing.  Yep, nothing like a relaxing book with a soothing cup of chamomile tea.  Sweet dreams.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.  Check it out, it’s really cool.

Read More »

Lemons to Ponder

Every time I buy lemons, most of them go bad before I can use them all up.  I love the way they smell, but I don’t know what to use them for as far as eating them.   I know several non-food uses though not all are things I’d actually do. 

• General cleaning – several recipes are available for homemade cleaner that use lemons.
• Air freshener – just mix juice in water and spray, but be careful what you spray it on.
• Bleach substitute – This is why you watch what you spray, and test on a small area first.
• Hair lightener – I think everyone has heard of this, spray in hair and go outside for natural highlights.  Just don’t forget the sunscreen, lemon juice will make your skin burn easier.
• Exfoliate – Cut a lemon in half and rub it on rough spots, especially elbows and knees.  Something about the acids help to remove dead skin cells.  It’s probably not something you’d want to do too often, and though with sensitive skin should tread cautiously.
• Kill odors – squeeze some lemon juice into your garbage can to keep it from knocking you out. 
• Houseplants – Save the seeds and try you luck at growing them, also try oranges.  They have pretty leaves and are so much fun when you actually get them to sprout.

Now if anyone knows of something to do with lemons as food, please let me know.  Live well and lemony fresh.

Lemon photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.  Check them out, it’s pretty cool.

Read More »

Perfect Kitty Album, Nope!

 

I wanted to get a few good pictures of my cat, Midnight which wasn’t easy because she wouldn’t hold still.  My photography skills are crummy enough without having to shoot a moving target.  See here how she instinctively looks away when I point the camera at her.

 

Here I was super lucky.  Although technically she isn’t looking straight at me, but it's close enough.

 

Here’s about a second later, see it’s instinct, she’s avoiding the camera.

  

So close, but no dice.

 

Here is the blur of her moving away.

  

And again.

 

Look at me will you.

 

Success!  Except, now she’s got that creepy glowing eye thing that makes people scared of cats.  Whatever, she’s fine.

 

Oops, there she goes again.

 

And again, ironically she is moving around so much in order to get my attention.

 

Ah, the easy way to get her to hold still, and she’s looking at me too, or is that glaring?

 

Just let her enjoy her meal.  Bon appétit Midnight.

Read More »

A Square Project

Another task on the list complete.  Yay!  On the list this one was purposely left vague.  I find it helps me to think outside the box, or in this case inside it.
Here is my square monster doll.  He’s a cute little who loves to dress up.  I now need to think up a name for him, any ideas?
Now here’s the updated list:

• Ribbon headbands
• Jean waistband cuffs
• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars
• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués
• Something square
• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories
• Cell phone sleeping bag
• Change purse key chains
• Monster plush key chains
• Strawberry pins and magnets
• Painted binder clips
• bottle cap pins
• zipper charms
• butterflies

Two down, Twelve to go.

Read More »

A Nifty Idea and an Update

While painting pencils and other stuff I came up with a decent way let the pencils dry without sticking to the table or getting smudged up.
I used an old plastic flower pot turned upside down.  What’s great is that this is one of those pots that usual get tossed out when the plant is put in the ground.  And I didn’t have to do anything to it, it’s like it was designed for this.

I also managed to tackle something on my list with all the painting I did, although it meant I didn’t get much sleep last night.  Check out my new binder clips, and yes I am still hooked on polka dots.  And so here’s the updated list:

• Ribbon headbands
• Jean waistband cuffs
• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars
• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués
• Something square
• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories
• Cell phone sleeping bag
• Change purse key chains
• Monster plush key chains
• Strawberry pins and magnets
• Painted binder clips
• bottle cap pins
• zipper charms
• butterflies

One down, thirteen to go.

Read More »

Project List

The following is a list of project ideas I’d like to try next:

• Ribbon headbands
• Jean waistband cuffs
• Jewelry with crescent moons and stars
• Tote bag with umbrella appliqués
• Something square
• Watermelon shaped oven mitts, maybe with matching accessories
• Cell phone sleeping bag
• Change purse key chains
• Monster plush key chains
• Strawberry pins and magnets
• Painted binder clips
• bottle cap pins
• zipper charms
• butterflies

Well, better start cracking at it, but which should I do first?

Read More »